Agenda:
Why did you come to this meeting?
(Or: What are you interested in / hope to learn more about?)
Attendee responses below:
Alan Grant (building designer) and Greg Cannon (pool designer):
Identified three areas of focus:
Need input from the community to help determine what these focus areas mean;
i.e. what programs will these pools support? Examples given include:
Competition – what size of pool, ideally 50M for competition and revenue generation
Recreational – multiple types of features, slide, lazy river
Therapy - an important District program and significant source of community use
Mechanical focus areas include:
Revenue
Potential to create a Synergistic relationship with other facility components, some of which can raise revenue to support the cost of operating the facility. Examples include:
What would you use the facility for / What would bring you in?
Attendee responses below:
Attendee questions are in bold, answers bulleted under each:
Does the public have input in the site?
o The School Board will make the final determination on the site but this will be based on several variables, site development costs, freedom for opportunities, accessibility, etc.
Parking is a huge issue, especially if this is going to be a competitive site.
o This is true; parking studies will be done to determine the correct number of stalls and desirable size and orientation.
If the Freshman Campus is chosen, will there be impacts to Riverview and Machias?
o There will be accommodations made to not impact Riverview or Machias.
Is there any requirement for an environmental impact review?
o Yes, there is a Master Use Permit review which is a lengthy process with the City. Will be engaging with community to deal with any concerns.
Will the building have a “Snohomish aesthetic” to the design?
o We understand the historic concerns with the design. The design has to be sensitive to the city and surrounding buildings.
Who will operate the pool?
o The District has talked with other groups such as YMCA to run the pool. There are other organizations that are much more qualified in running the pool. Even though another organization may be hired to run the facility, educational activities will come first, then community, any outside organization will need to accept this arrangement.
Can the $19Million be invested?
o The District invests and gains interest earnings from the bonds. Additionally, there is no state match funding on the pool.
What are the operating costs?
o Throughout design we will be looking at these costs. The potential costs will assist us in setting the parameters of the design. We don’t want to build something that we can’t afford to run.
What does the $19Million include?
o The $19M does include the site and demolition costs. The site has big implications to the cost of the project. If the Freshman Campus is chosen it is undetermined what would happen to the Hal Moe site.
When will the site selection be made?
o There is a meeting with board members to discuss this further.
It seems that the Hal Moe site is such a small location.
o This is a component of the site analysis. There are challenges with both sites.
What can we create for $19Million?
o We are still in the process of defining the program. These meetings will help narrow down the program, allowing us to estimate the value of the facility. There may be limitations but we will do this project right.
Is there anything at the Hal Moe site that can be salvaged?
o This is part of the site selection analysis, there may be.
Will you keep the Hal Moe site?
o This has not been determined.
What size pool?
o We are looking at the most efficient use of pool for competition and diving. We are looking at 50M pool as it could provide good value and revenue for the pool. Recreational features are a big draw to the public, again creating a revenue source to help support the pool.
Have you looked at different pools with different temperatures and filtration?
o Yes, we are looking at different tanks with different filtration systems and temperatures. Combined filtration of tanks is not allowed by the Public Health.
Are you concerned with piping size and fittings (90 degree angles)?
o Yes, hydraulic design is critical for the physical operation of pool and operational costs.
o Layout / access to mechanical system are important for long term maintenance.
What type of filtration system?
o Probably won’t use ozone system, more likely going to use UV. UV is much more efficient / successful in controlling contaminations.
Are you considering a chlorine generator?
o We are considering several types of systems.
What are the possibilities of a retractable roof?
o Retractable roofs are very cost prohibitive. May look at operable doors to the outside.
Comment: We need more hotel spaces downtown … If you are going to have a competition pool you need a place to stay.
o Note: The school district cannot fund/construct a hotel; this would need to be done by a separate developer.
Life of the building?
o It is important that the building is built to last, that quality materials and systems will be used in this facility. We only have one chance to do this, we need to do it right.
Is it okay to include recreational facilities in a school district (bond-funded) pool?
o It is acceptable to add features to the facility that helps support the aquatic center. Other features increase the revenue stream offsetting the operational costs.
Bill Mester inquired if this was a good meeting?
o Community thanked Bill for this opportunity. The meeting makes us take ownership and take part in the development of the pool.