Comments on: Please Keep Our Pools Open!

By: Pat Hill

Pat Hill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:25:55 +0000

Hi Ben and All,

Great write up and comments but you have some of the facts wrong. Did you get notice of the Kenmore Community Meeting of March 10th about the pool?

Over 100 members of the swimming community and gym user groups attended

We are trying to get the pool/gym re-opened, we need as many voices as possible to do this.

Please contact me if you are able to help. Thank you.

Pat Hill
425 485-8479

By: Patrick Hamilton

Patrick Hamilton — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:04:54 +0000

I find it very frustrating, as a talented coach and long time competitive swimmer. (proven by having coached very successful athletes including Ben, and swam with very successful athletes including Joe Umphenour). I approached West Aquatics about getting involved with their program. I NEVER heard back. Subsequently I now work for King Aquatic Club, and have started my own coaching business named ‘Eastside Endurance’. West should have been able to more with this program, but a lack of vision and inspiration has cost our community a pool. Eastside Endurance is working hard to facilitate our local athletes. Eastside Endurance has added Megan Oesting to the staff. Megan is a former National team member in the freestyle events. Look for more from eastside Endurance. Keep up the good work Ben!

By: Loren Pokorny

Loren Pokorny — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:40:18 +0000

You might want to check out private clubs with pools – like TPC in Tiburon. They offered use of their pool for something like $100 a month or $5-$10 per use (master’s swim program). I’ve seen that a club or two in Seattle has this same option – so something to consider.

It doesn’t fix the issue, but clubs generally have MUCH more reliable hours and a much lower threat of closure, but you’ll also find that the pools are generally not as important as the Yoga or Spin studios.

By: dave mess

dave mess — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:47:55 +0000

Benjamin. Good write up.

Here is the solution! Stop swimming! I have not been in a pool in a year, and have no regrets! The road is always open for riding and running!

But seriously, this is a problem. When I first moved to Seattle i was amazed at all the public pools available in the city (way more than anywhere else I had ever lived. Then I started running into the problems you described. Overcrowded lanes, tight schedules, older pools. Then they started the maintenance closures. Frankly I look back and don’t know how I dealt with it all. Seems so silly now. I have to say Ft. Collins kicks Seattle’s butt in pools. Our pools are open for laps all day long, and usually the entire pool. In the year I swam here I don’t think I ever had to share a lane!
Granted there are WAY more swimmers in Seattle.
I hear ya though, why is it so darn hard to find a decent pool? Not too much to ask.

By: kaitlyn

kaitlyn — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:53:16 +0000

I hate to see the yet again the Seattle area is closing another pool. Already i am getting frustrated trying to swim with 4-5 other people in lap swim, so i cant imagine nearing 10. Obviously the need for local pools is in demand. Its getting ridiculous, to the point that i dont swim as much because honestly i dont want to deal with the people (at which you may say im a spoiled club swimmer, which is most likely true, but honestly its annoying for everyone ).
Thanx for posting ben.