For those excited that year-round swimming in our public pool has finally become a reality, I think it’s important that we recognize those who put forth the passion, creativity and determination to make it happen.
The community coming together and realizing a dream that will benefit so many has been inspiring to witness. Without input and support from the community and the tireless efforts of both The Vashon Seals Swim Team and the Vashon Park District (VPD), none of this would be possible.
The non-profit Vashon Seals Swim Team has spent thousands of hours developing plans, conducting engineering work, attending community meetings, fundraising and doing hands-on labor at the pool. It was a passion project from the beginning, and there is a core group of individuals that has poured blood, sweat and tears into making this happen including, but not limited to, Karin and Charlie Choo, Ginger Hamilton, Mike and Nancy O’Connor, Ken and Kim Kirschling, the Dougher family, Lisa MacLeod, Bruce Jackson and Randy Turner, as well as an army of volunteers.
A tremendous amount of gratitude also goes to VPD Executive Director Elaine Ott-Rocheford, Operations and Recreation Manager Kelly Schmidt, Aquatics Director Scott Bonney, VPD staff and VPD board members Karen Gardner, Bob McMahon and LuAnn Branch. They have worked tirelessly along with the Vashon Seals to make major improvements to the pool.
The bubble will provide indoor swimming from October until May and will be removed for outdoor swimming during the summer months. This gives us the best of both worlds and provides islanders with a much-needed option for healthy activities during the winter months.
From swimming lessons, to teen, school-age or family night events, physical therapy, lap swimming, water polo, exercise classes and physical education programs through the schools, there are many possibilities for programming that comes with year-round access to the pool.
A great example of this is a program created by Vashon Seals coach, Lisa MacLeod. Considered one of the best stroke mechanics and swim instructors in the Puget Sound, Lisa has designed classes for students who want to use swimming to develop physical fitness, without competition. Students will get a full-body, aerobic workout in a low-impact environment that will focus on stroke technique and fitness. Lisa will also be teaching dives, turns, water polo and other aquatic activities. The program will take place from February to May with classes running from 2:55 to 3:55 p.m. For more information, contact Lisa at lisa@swimvashon.org or see vashonseals.org.
The pool is now open, and the initial schedule can be found on the VPD website, vashonparks.org/vashon-pool. As with any community resource, the more we use it, the more access will be granted. How the schedule and programming evolve will be dictated by use and demand from the community. As the VPD embarks on its initial winter season, leaders there want to hear from you, so please send your feedback to ensure that the pool is meeting the community’s needs.
The Vashon Seals and the VPD will continue to write grants, raise funds and work together to make improvements to the pool and to provide the types of programming that the community has been asking for.
Thank you to everyone who supported this effort in any way. This is your pool, Vashon, and the best way to support its future is to use it — so come for a swim.
— Karl Stetson is a parent of a Vashon Seals swimmer.
