Support of the Waitsburg Pool levy

To the Editor,

I am voting YES to approve the Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District (WPR) levy on Nov. 4. As a parent, community member, and WPR commissioner, there are many reasons why I support a new pool in Waitsburg.

Camaraderie. For 100 years, Waitsburg had a swimming pool. It was a gathering place for family and friends. Kids rode their bikes to the pool, for lessons, to meet friends, to play, and to beat the heat. They picked up snacks and drinks at the grocery store on the way. Families had BBQs and cooled off in the pool. Adult swim times allowed parents an opportunity to connect with friends, kid-free. For the past six years, these memories have not been made, and it’s clear that the pool has been greatly missed.

Safety. As reported by The American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the most common cause of death for children ages 1-4, and one of the leading causes of teen deaths. The swimming lesson schedules offered in other communities do not work for most working parents in Waitsburg.

Health. This pool is designed to meet the needs of all generations. It will not only provide opportunities for young people to exercise and play, but it will also offer options to meet the needs of our adult and senior populations. In addition to the six lanes dedicated to lap swimming and cardiovascular exercise, it also meets the needs of exercise enthusiasts or people in need of injury rehabilitation. Water-based fitness classes, like aerobics, yoga, cycling, or walking, provide safe resistance workouts.

Competition. Our valley has a number of young people who are actively competing in swimming. A local pool will make training sessions more accessible for those families.

Economy. The addition of a new state-of-the-art swimming pool will attract visitors to our community. Those visitors will not only financially benefit the pool, but they will also contribute to our other businesses. They will eat at our restaurants, shop in our stores, and fill their gas tanks while visiting Waitsburg. Their dollars spent while visiting are good for our business owners and our community.

Commitment. The community was surveyed, and both times the results were obvious, Waitsburg wants a pool. Many hard-working volunteers have raised about $95,000. They have worked with the engineering company & FEMA to follow regulations, select a site, and a design that is tailored for Waitsburg.

Grants. To qualify for local, state, and federal grants, the team must be able to show the community is committed. Passing the levy will allow us to obtain the additional funding we need to complete the pool project.

Please join me, VOTE YES to SUPPORT the POOL. VOTE YES to SUPPORT WAITSBURG!

Sincerely,

Wendy Richards

Waitsburg, Wash.