QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Answers to questions about this campaign

Question #1 - Why do we need a public aquatic center in Gig Harbor?

Currently, there is no public pool in Gig Harbor.

The functionality of our available pools no longer meet the water safety and water recreation needs of our growing maritime city. Available pools are beyond capacity, and parents are left scrambling to find a place where their children can learn to swim.

Current pools either require membership, are too expensive, are closed, or do not include conducive times to serve the public. The local high school pools give priority usage to high school sports, which leaves little flexibility for outside use. Over 800 families are on the waitlist for their kids to learn how to swim at a local professional swim school. We need a public aquatic facility that can allow for water safety to continue to be a priority for all ages and backgrounds in our maritime city!

Question #2 - What type of pool is Swim Safe Gig Harbor advocating for?

Our current goal for our campaign is to rally our community around the great need Gig Harbor has for a public aquatic facility. We understand a large community project like this is a long process and are aiming to work respectfully and wisely with all involved. Along with spreading the word and gaining community support, Swim Safe Gig Harbor has been advocating that a feasibility study for a public aquatic center be done at the former Peninsula Gardens property (now owned by Penmet), located at 5503 Wollochet Dr. 98335. We have been in conversations with the PenMet Parks Board all summer (2021), and on Tuesday, September 7th, the Board committed to doing a feasibility study in 2022 for a public aquatic facility on a PenMet property.

Although our campaign originated out of the needs for water safety in our town, many other aquatic needs in Gig Harbor have been presented. The dream would be for Gig Harbor to have a full aquatic facility, with a pool for sports and competition, a pool for fitness, therapy, and swim lessons, and a separate recreation area where families can swim together. In fact, a pool facility needs to offer all of these things in order to be sustainable. (www.totalaquatic.llc)

Here some examples of other Western Washington Aquatic Facilities:

Bainbridge Island Aquatic Center: https://biaquatics.org

Snohomish Aquatic Center: https://www.sno.wednet.edu/snohomishaquatic

Question #3 - How will this project be paid for? How much will this project cost?

We have been researching other local aquatic centers in Western Washington to see how they were/are being built. These centers were built using a combination of private donors, grants and bonds, and community partnerships. We imagine Gig Harbor's aquatic center will be paid for in the same way. An approximate cost for an aquatic facility that would meet all of Gig Harbor's water safety and recreation needs would be between $40-50 million dollars. As an example of how a community has rallied to fund their town's pool, here is the Lopez Island Pool website. They are currently finishing their fundraising campaign for their aquatic center. https://www.lopezislandpool.org/

Question #4 - Why not learn to swim in open water? (i.e. the Puget Sound?)

According to safekids.org, here are the 5 warnings about learning how to swim in open water:

Limited Visibility – Water in lakes and ponds can be murky, hiding hazards such as rocks, logs and uneven surfaces. Limited visibility can also make it difficult to see if a child falls in. If lifeguards are present, ask about the safest area to swim. When entering unfamiliar water, go in feet first and wade out slowly.
Depth, Distance and Drop-offs – Unlike a pool, open water rarely has depth markings, making it difficult to know if kids are getting into water that is over their heads. When swimming in open water, it can also be hard to perceive distance from the shore. Additionally, while there may be a gradual slope as you enter the water near shore, there might be a sudden drop-off further out. When looking for safe place to swim, choose a designated swimming area and check for signs warning about potential hazards.
Currents and Tides – Currents in rivers, creeks and streams can be fast-moving and unpredictable. While some strong currents such as rapids are visible, others can flow under the water’s surface. In oceans or lakes, waves and rip currents can be dangerous. Families should avoid swimming at unsupervised beaches or in areas not designated for swimming. Before allowing kids to swim in open water, make sure they know how to deal with a crashing wave and escape a rip tide or strong current.
Water Temperature – Open water is usually colder than water in a pool, which can affect a child’s swimming ability. What’s more, falling into cold water can result in shock, which can lead to panic and even drowning. When participating in boating or other recreational water activities, families should remember to dress for the water temperature, rather than the air temperature, and to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest.
Weather and Seasonal Differences – Changes in the weather can make open water more hazardous. Heavy rains and flooding can create strong currents and rapidly change the depth and clarity of water. Families should also be aware of man-made storm channels and reservoirs that can be empty one minute and full of water the next. If you are planning an outing that involves open water, check the weather and water conditions before you leave home and again when you arrive. Stay alert for changes while you are on site and always stay out of the water if you hear thunder or see lightning.

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