The city is proposing new fees for swimming in six Spokane public pools: A.M. Cannon Park pool in west central, Hillyard, Witter, Comstock, Shadle, and Liberty. The proposed fee schedule is below, but basically the new fees will be $5 per adult and $2.50 per child per session. VOICES feels that these fees are too high, too many people will not be able to afford to go swimming, especially when it would cost a mom and three children $12.50 just to swim for 3 hours. For people living on a low-income, this will be completely out of their reach, and will mean one less activity for their families this summer. VOICES wants some alternative proposals on the table, free summer passes for low-income families, very low cost passes, scholarships, we want low-income people’s needs considered when providing the public with swimming pools. If you want to ensure that everyone will be able to afford to swim, make your voice heard on this important issue.
Pool Fees city ordinance:Proposed charge is $2.50 for kids and $5 for adults
New Schedule and Hours Days/Swim Fee Hours Free Hours Hours/Day
Mon – Fri –
Open Swim (FEE 12 – 2 pm) (FREE 2 – 5 pm) = 2 Fee / 3 Free
Family Swim (FEE 6 – 8 pm) = 2 Fee
Saturday
Open Swim (FEE 1 – 3 pm) (FREE 3 – 6 pm) = 2 Fee / 3 Free
Sunday
Open Swim (FEE 1 – 3 pm) (FREE 3 – 5 pm) = 2 Fee / 2 Free
Total Number of Fee Hours Per Week = 24
Total Number of Free Hours Per Week = 20
Total Public Swim Hours = 44
On, May 5th the Parks Board is holding a public hearing at City Hall from 6:30-8:30 pm. This will be our chance to make our voices heard on the issue. West Central Coalition will be leading the charge on this and have encouraged all of the coalition members, and anyone else who feels strongly about this issue, to turn out and testify. If you need help going over your testimony please call West Central Community Center (326-9540) or VOICES (326-4135).
Opportunities for Action:
1) Attend the meeting on May 5th from 6:30-8:30pm to tell them what you think about the issue. Show up early to sign up to testify, the doors will open at 6pm. There will be lots of support there, many people are planning on attending, but please come too! The more support the better! Even if you decide not to testify, you could carry a sign, or show your support in other ways.
2) If you can not attend the meeting please write a letter or email to the Parks Board to tell them what you think. It would be best to do this before the meeting. Send your message by email to -spokaneparks@spokanecity.org or by snail mail to Spokane Parks & Recreation – City Hall 5th Floor, 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201
3) Write a letter to the editor about how you feel about pool fees in Spokane. Send letters of up to 200 words. All letters are subject to editing. Please sign with your full name (first name, initial, last name) and mailing address (with city, state and zip), and include a daytime phone number where you can be reached for verification. email- editor@spokesman.com, snail mail- Spokesman Letters to the editor, PO BOX 2160, Spokane, WA 99201
4)Tell a friend how you feel and what action you took; encourage them to take an action too!
To find out more call 326-4135 or email stories@voicesspokane.org
Please also see Dave Campbell’s post analyzing the larger economic issues for Spokane and it’s public pools.
