Letter to the Editor: Educators in Shoreline know how important a pool is to our students

To the Editor:

In the early 1970’s, Seattle turned down light rail not seeing the need and fearing growth. In the 80’s, we developed Westlake Center instead of creating a central park in our treeless downtown. More recently, we rejected a Lake Union to Westlake Park fearing that it was just a ruse to increase development. All of these possibilities required brave thinking with a focus on future benefits and the incremental change they would bring to the community. That thinking existed at the time, it just wasn’t heeded.

Shoreline is in a similar state with Proposition 1. The proposed Shoreline Aquatic, Recreation and Community Center will be a centerpiece of the Shoreline community. With a Senior Center, party rooms, athletic facilities, and a pool suitable for our high school athletes and recreational swimmers, the Center will serve thousands of Shoreline residents for years to come.

This month, The Shoreline Education Association’s Executive Board voted to support Proposition 1. Educators in Shoreline know how important a public pool is to our students. Thousands of Shoreline students learn to swim at our current pool. Many of our special-needs students receive therapy and exercise at the pool, and as one of the few no-cut high-school sports, our Shorecrest and Shorewood swim and dive teams use the pool for practice and competitions.

If we lack the will to pass Prop.1 now, the current pool will fail, requiring extensive repairs or a complete rebuild, interrupting the above-mentioned activities for years. School programs like Swim and Dive cannot survive a multi-year hiatus.

Be brave and visionary as you cast your ballots over the next few weeks. Vote ‘Yes’ on Proposition 1 to ensure that our students and indeed our entire community receive the benefits of the Shoreline Aquatic, Recreation and Community Center for years to come.

Matt Reiman,
SEA, President