The latest King County elections results, released Thursday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 p.m., now show 53.32 percent of the ballots counted voting yes on the advisory measure, and 47.68 percent voting no.
The county elections website indicates that 151 new Sammamish ballots were received today, and 82.31 percent of the 28,998 ballots sent to voters have been returned.
You can find more information and previous results releases here:
*Updated results will be released Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
I just hope the council members remember this was to be an advisory vote, not a referendum. Valerie Spiegler Valerie Spiegler
"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)
"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)
"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."