Update: Sammamish Prop. 1 Yes Votes Widen Lead

Michelle Manson November 9, 2012 at 01:47 am

I really hope this passes. I called the author of the proposition and it turns out that yes, this pool will be available to high school swim teams for practice. That will be a huge benefit - we are all tired of driving!! Thanks for keeping us informed!

Delivery November 9, 2012 at 01:57 am

Far from a decisive and conclusive result here. There is now a shadow of doubt to what happens. I would expect a near 70/30 split for anything conclusive here. The alakan way sea wall has 76/24 split in favor... That's decisive.

Federico Nava November 9, 2012 at 04:09 am

Regardless of the final percentage spread, I'd like to thank all the Sammamish residents that voted to support Prop 1.

Valerie Spiegler November 9, 2012 at 01:16 pm

Why are there not more property owners, mired in the town center quicksand, willing to speak out against the City's consideration of a $25MM expenditure for a swimming pool? Many opinions for and against this project have been printed, but none of the public comments (at least those in Patch) have spoken of the expenditure of $25MM on a community center as being a gross conflict of interest and conscience on the part of our city elders, given the stagnant status of the town center project.
I just hope the council members remember this was to be an advisory vote, not a referendum. Valerie Spiegler Valerie Spiegler

Heather Murphy-Raines November 9, 2012 at 01:41 pm

Michelle, I hope so too! However, I am concerned that the high schools will get shorted. Here was the response below from the Y when questioned about high school swim teams in which she said they would come third. I voted for this prop for our kids--especially ones which are swimming outside in freezing weather or traveling 20 miles away. I hope this becomes a priority:
"Isenberger said that the YMCA has not as yet heard from local high school swim teams about their needs or desires as far as practice time goes, but that accommodating such needs would be something the Y would be trying to balance with other community needs as the plans solidify, should the city move forward with the Community & Aquatic Center. "If any of the (local high schools and teams) have interest we’ll look at how we can best accommodate and it would be open for anyone to throw their hat in," Isenberger said. "We plan on having time available in the pool at least to provide some swim time for the swim teams." (cont'd)

Heather Murphy-Raines November 9, 2012 at 01:42 pm

(cont'd)
"That said, Isenberger said there's no easy answer to the question, given the likely demand for the aquatic portion of the facility, and that swim lessons and public swim time would be priorities for the Y's program. "Our primary efforts around aquatics are really going to be swim lessons, public swim time, and thirdly swim teams," she said. In one possible design scenario, the facility would have two pools; one a 6-lane lap pool that would be used for swim teams, lessons, fitness classes, lap swimming; then one recreation pool with splash features, that would be a little bit warmer and more recreational, Isenberger said. The recreation pool would likely also be used at least partly for swim lessons for younger kids, but lap lanes would be necessary as well. "We want to create the right kind of space depending on what the demand is for swim lessons; we want to meet that demand," she said, adding, "it will be a busy busy pool and aquatic center." For high school swim teams, the model that is typical and likely would be used at a new Sammamish facility would be a per hour/per lane fee, she said. "It’s going to be trying to find the balance," Isenberger said, and recognizing that with such a need on the plateau that it will be difficult to meet all the desires of the community. (cont'd)

Heather Murphy-Raines November 9, 2012 at 01:42 pm

(cont'd part 3)
"She said she anticipates that once a facility is completed and operational in a few years, that people will wonder how the community lived so long without it, but there are many more steps along the way to making that a reality. "The good part of this is the city and the Y are in great conversation and we want to get what’s best for the community. I think the partnership makes a lot of sense. I hope people see the value it can bring. It’s always challenging, though, with the unknowns. It’s been an interesting time for us too, to hear people's concerns and their priorities," she said. "We need to get through the vote today and see what happens, then we can start having more dialogue with groups about what their hopes are. It's going to be a giant jigsaw puzzle trying to fill all the needs," Isenberger said."

Heather Murphy-Raines November 9, 2012 at 01:53 pm

I would truly like any plans the city council with the Y makes have a requirement that high school swimmers be a priority. As a former member of IST and a current member of a different USA Year Round club as well as a mom to a HS swimmer, I know too well how precious water is. My kids travel to Mercer Island, Seattle University, Des Moines, &Federal Way all in one week to get to practices from Sammamish. 90% of those practices are outdoors &year round. I knew the deal when we joined the club world. However, it is a shame in such a financially blessed community that out high school swimmers are left out in the cold with sub-par facilities while we continue to put millions into ball fields. That is why I was so happy this prop passed. That said, just like Boehm, I certainly hope the city & Y partnership would prioritize the community aquatic time toward it's schools and it's constituents in the same way Boehm (Issaquah) or Mary Wayte (Mercer Island) pools do-- with swim lessons during the day and then priority to public high schools in their city in afternoon/evening, then clubs based on # of taxpaying citizens' family members on team. Perhaps the leisure pool needs to be a tad bigger/deeper too for lesson, so any team practice would not displace those needed, affordable lessons? If that cannot be done, then perhaps an 8 lane pool would be better suited. Honestly, it is better than nothing and I am so happy the families of this community have spoken.

Federico Nava November 9, 2012 at 06:24 pm

Valerie, have you seen the plan? I assume you have and yet you've boiled it down to "a swimming pool". It's more than that and it aims to provide some needed facilities and services that people will not get from a privately-owned health club.

Jeanne Gustafson (Editor) November 9, 2012 at 07:09 pm

Just a note if you're following this. The next results release will be at 7:30 p.m. today, Nov. 9, not 4:30 as previously noted. Sorry for any confusion.