Our first aquatic center meeting December 12th went well. It was the first effort at group organizing. We discussed the vision of a community aquatic center, possible sites, possible collaborations, and approaches for support, pool tours, research groups and geo-thermal technology. Will Ibershof, Duvall’s mayor was present and Gerard Maloney, a geothermal expert. Also Jeff Wolf from THRIVE FITNESS and Carol Whipple, a long time valley swim trainer, Scott Lynch from Valley Chiropractic, Peggy Loomis, social worker and long-time community supporter as well as Rose Hollis, business woman and several other community residents.
Maura Van Ness shared a presentation developed by Sharon Simas, the president of SPLASH (Swimming Pools for Leisure, Active Sports and Health). SPLASH is a non-profit group that has been organized with the goal of doing something about the deficit of Eastside swimming polls suitable for quality competitive swimming and other aquatic sports. Sharon has provided much insight and encouragement. There are many great ideas and can-do incentives.
Mayor Ibershof indicated that the City of Duvall would be interested in seeing a proposal as it takes shape. He could not specifically suggest a piece of property for the facility, but recommended that the city planning commission be contacted. Several ideas for a location were discussed, including a joint effort with Lake Washington Vo Tech, which plans to build a new community college here in Duvall within the next 2 years. Someone (Jeff Wolf?) offered to get the name of the LWVT person in charge of that project so a meeting and discussion could be initiated.
Gerard Maloney described the geothermal design for heating and cooling swimming facilities. He has successfully installed these designs for residential use and is pleased with the energy efficiency he has seen. Geothermal design pools operating costs are less than half the cost of traditional systems. He agreed to research and find the name of a contractor who has installed such a system for a larger, public-use facility.
Jeff Wolf indicated that Thrive Fitness club is planning to expand in about two years. He says they are looking at property which could accommodate a pool as well. He doesn’t want to “own” the pool but is willing to collaborate and/or manage.
Maura Van Ness and Carol Wipple agreed to head up a group to tour area aquatic facilities and bring back various plans for comparison. However the site visits will probably not begin until after the holidays, after the next meeting.
Rose Hollis suggested starting a list of possible Stakeholders (Groups or individuals who would derive benefit from such a facility), and a separate list of potential investors or collaborators. Some suggestions were made for each list, and Rose agreed to bring these two lists to the next meeting for discussion and additions.
Those in attendance agreed to meet again Jan 9th, and were asked to invite others who might be interested in a having a state of the art, environmentally friendly, multi-use aquatic center located in the Snoqualmie Valley. Maura agreed to reserve a location and send a reminder email to everyone.
Snoqualmie Valley Acquatic 