“Let it be hard. Let it be scary. And then do it anyway.”
6 months ago I didn’t know who sat on the PenMet Parks Board. 6 months ago I paid little attention to who sat on city council. 6 months ago all I knew about park taxes was that we paid them.
6 months ago Heather and I spoke in front of the PenMet Board at our first meeting for public comment. For three minutes we both spoke, voices shaky and nervous breaths, introducing an idea - a need and a void that our city had. Our Maritime City, surrounded by water, has no public pool for our kids to learn to swim safely and consistently.
For the past 6 months we have been advocating and campaigning for a public aquatic center. A place our kids can learn to swim year round. A place our swim teams can practice and compete. A place water safety and water therapy can be taught without limitations. A place our seniors can swim. A place our community can gather regardless of age, income or ability.
After just 6 short months it feels like a dream to say that our vision, our dream, our campaign is starting to be realized. The PenMet Parks Board voted to include a feasibility study for an aquatics center in their 2022 capital budget. We did it. Step one - Swim Safe Gig Harbor is a full fledged campaign.
Our journey is far from over. We still have so much to learn and so much more work to do. But, the important things are rarely easy and without challenge. For today I will smile and celebrate this victory, knowing full well that this dream is possible if only I am willing to fight for it.