I am writing in response to the recent letter published in the Kirkland Reporter, “Park district could be taxation with no results.”

First, let me say that the city manager and City Council are pressing forward with plans for the ARC (Aquatics Recreation and Community center) for the people of Kirkland.

A Metropolitan Park District (MPD) is the ideal way to fund the ARC project. The MPD, if approved by the voters, would provide the funding for the ARC while keeping taxes as low as possible.

The letter writer states that the MPD will allow the city to “…accumulate funds to purchase a site yet to be determined.“ It is my understanding that no taxes will be collected in advance to purchase a site. Instead, the MPD will allow the city to pursue the purchase of a site, knowing that the funds can be collected when necessary. If a suitable site were not found, no tax money will be collected. However, by establishing the MPD, the city would be in a much stronger position for negotiating with private land owners. Furthermore, the city is looking at sites that are conveniently located to all residents of Kirkland, which will result in sites located within the pre-annexation boundaries.

Furthermore, the letter writer states that the need for swimming lessons is not sufficient to “rope everyone into a program that will probably never…be able to show a profit…” I believe the need for swimming lessons and water safety is important to our community, especially with number of lake front parks in our city.

How can one put a price tag on something as important as the health and safety of those in our community? Surely, a community with the size and stature of Kirkland recognizes that we have a significant lack of access to these types of programs? Ask the parents who have waited in lines and on waiting lists for access to swim lesson programs only to be continually told their children can’t participate because there isn’t enough space if they see the value in this. The lesson sessions at Juanita sell out in seven minutes.

The Juanita Aquatic Center under the management of WAVE Aquatics currently generates an operational profit and has done so for the past five years. No public funds or LWSD funds are used to operate this pool, or the Redmond Pool which is also managed by WAVE Aquatics, even though these pools are old and less efficient than a new, modern facility such as that proposed for the ARC.

Furthermore, the pool at LA Fitness is available only to members and they do not offer swimming lessons, even to members. I am not aware of a swimming pool at the Gold’s Gym or 24 Hour Fitness locations in Kirkland. The Columbia Athletic Club does have pools and offers lessons both to members for an additional fee, and to non-member for a slightly higher fee.

Finally, the ARC encompasses far more than the aquatics component. There will be gymnasiums, a fitness center, classrooms for sports, dance and other Kirkland Parks programs, as well as community meeting rooms and event space.

Together with the aquatic component, the ARC can be self-sustaining and provide year-round recreational and community opportunities for all Kirkland residents.

Rick Colella, Kirkland