The City of Snoqualmie continues to explore funding options to include an aquatics facility in the potential expansion of the Snoqualmie Community Center.
“A statistically valid survey showed that Snoqualmie residents are overwhelmingly in favor of expanding the community center including an aquatics facility with warm water pools and a lap pool,” said Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson. “The lap pool would have a minimum of three lap lanes or could be a six-lane competitive pool if the Snoqualmie Valley School District chooses to join us as a potential funding partner.”
The Si View Metro Parks District (MPD) performed a feasibility study (siviewpark.org/newpool) for an alternative aquatics facility. On September 26, they formally asked the school board to join in their efforts to build a much larger $43 million aquatics facility; however, their option would also need the City of Snoqualmie to contribute roughly 44% of the cost.
Following the school board meeting and several prior meetings with the Si View MPD to discuss a possible partnership, the City of Snoqualmie affirmed its plans for a separate facility, a decision that was defined in a resolution passed by the Snoqualmie City Council on October 14.
The resolution states the revenue needed from the City of Snoqualmie to partner with the Si View MPD on an aquatics facility significantly exceeds resources planned or budgeted for by the City. The revenues to partner on a new pool with the Si View MPD would require a voter-approved property tax increase, whereas, no new taxes will be needed for the expansion of the Snoqualmie Community Center, including pools and space for other fitness amenities and programming.
More information and illustrations of the potential expansion of the Snoqualmie Community Center are on the City of Snoqualmie website at www.snoqualmiewa.gov.
# # #
Contact:
Joan Pliego
jpliego@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us
www.cityofsnoqualime.org
425-888-8014 / 425-281-3317