July news & updates
July 9, 2020
Water Safety & Aquatics Reports
We hope this finds you healthy! With the many impacts of COVID-19 on our families, businesses, schools, and cities, we have made water safety a focus this summer.

We are in the homestretch to deliver our SPLASHForward comprehensive aquatics analysis report and the City of Bellevue will soon be presenting the final Aquatic Center Feasibility Study Update to Council. See below for details.

While our pools slowly begin to reopen with many restrictions, this summer is unlike no other. There are significantly reduced Learn to Swim opportunities, increased beach front visitors, cool lake temperatures and lack of lifeguards on most of our local beaches. Therefore, it is vital to educate our community about water safety best practices. Drowning only takes seconds. Key messages we are promoting to our community...
  • Wear a life jacket
  • Assign a Water Watcher
  • Don't overestimate your abilities.

We have been advocating for water safety with Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland and working with a local water safety and drowning prevention organization No More Under to support and promote water safety at our local beaches. See the latest below and help spread the word!

Thank you to Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Seattle for your commitment to water safety during these challenging times!
Bellevue City Council to Review Aquatic Center Studies
Tentatively Monday, Aug 3, 6pm
Bellevue City Council will review both the Bellevue Aquatic Center Feasibility Study Update and the Regional Aquatics Report tentatively on Monday, Aug 3rd.

We will confirm and send an update closer to the date.

Council meetings are virtual and broadcast live on Bellevue TV channel 21 and the BTV YouTube channel.

SPLASH Forward has been a stakeholder to both of these reports.
SPLASH Forward Aquatics Analysis
Poised to Take the Next Step
Over the past year and a half, SPLASHForward and Isaac Sports Group, our aquatics consultant, have conducted a deep regional aquatics analysis alongside the work of the City of Bellevue and the Regional Aquatics Group (King County, Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland).

We have analyzed our current aquatics environment, studied local and national facilities, engaged stakeholders to learn their program and facility needs and have begun to develop partnership and user group opportunities. We have developed a preferred aquatic center design and developed corresponding programming, operational modeling, and economic impact to demonstrate the foundation for a sustainable public aquatic center.

Stay tuned for a virtual community meeting after the Council review of the City and Regional aquatics reports to share the latest!
BELLEVUE - Lifeguards at ALL Public Beaches
12pm - 7pm daily
ALL Bellevue public beaches are lifeguarded this summer. Meydenbauer Bay, Newcastle, Enatai, Chism, Clyde, and Chesterfield (2-5pm) beaches. Follow social distancing guidelines & stay safe!

City of Bellevue worked tirelessly to hire & train the lifeguards as guidelines were literally being written for these challenging times. Thank you!
REDMOND - Life Jackets & Redmond Pool Update
Available for Purchase - $15
Due to COVID-19, lifeguards will not be at Idylwood Beach this summer. To help the community stay water safe, Redmond has made Coast Guard Type III life jackets in a range of sizes (infant to adult) available for purchase through their activity registration site. Act quickly as some sizes are running low!

Purchase today & pickup at Redmond City Hall on July 16, 4-7pm

SPLASHForward worked with City of Redmond to make this opportunity possible. Water safety information will be generously provided by No More Under .
Redmond Pool Phase 2 Begins
Closed since June 2019, Phase 2 of planned renovations have begun and scheduled to reopen in the fall.

Phase 2 includes a new pool decking, lobby and locker room upgrades & ADA improvements.
Images are from an October stakeholder meeting reviewing options.
KIRKLAND - Beach Ambassadors & Loaner Life Jackets
Swim at Your Own Risk!
Beach Ambassadors are at ALL Kirkland beaches (Houghton, Waverly and Juanita) with loaner life jackets in a range of sizes available for day use. They will enforce social distance guidelines and have the ability to summon Kirkland Fire Department water rescuers if an emergency.
SEATTLE - Lifeguards at Some Public Beaches
Know before you go!
If you are visiting Seattle's public beaches, know which ones are open. As of this newsletter, previous plans to open some beaches with lifeguards have changed. The following beaches MAY open but without lifeguards on Weds, July 15 - Madison, Matthews, Mount Baker, West Green Lake and Pritchard beaches. Follow social distancing guidelines & stay safe!
SPLASH Forward is a member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Aquatic Facility Highlights
Everett Family YMCA
Everett YMCA replaced its 100 yr old community facility with a new $24.2 Million facility serving the community. Designed with community partners and needs in mind. Big Brother Big Sisters program space, physical therapy clinic, dedicated teen space and shared aquatics for community and local school district.

Completed November 2019

William Shore Memorial Pool
One of the lucky facilities in WA to not only renovate, but expand. Adding more aquatics programming to the growing Port Angeles community with a $16.5 million 10,000 sq ft addition. Large splash area with a lazy river, 3-lane warm water therapy pool & expanded locker rooms were added.

Closed original facility last year, due to open in August.

SPLASH Forward | www.splashforward.org