Nov 28 2009
St Edward Park Pool Operator, West Coast Aquatics gives “Notice to Vacate”
November 25, 2009
It is with great regret that the Board of West Coast Aquatics (WCA) tendered its 30 day “Notice to
Vacate” the St. Edward State Park Carole Ann Wald Memorial Swimming Pool lease today. Despite
their earnest desire to keep this facility running under their management, the combination of a difficult
economy and unacceptably high operating costs has not only rendered it impossible to maintain their
presence at St Edwards, but has put the entire WCA non-profit organization financially at risk.
WCA has expended tremendous amounts of energy reaching out to all aspects of the local community,
and while they have received a gratifying level of support from many sources like Evergreen Hospital,
Bastyr University and the Friends of St Edward’s, they have not been able to achieve a level of support
that comes close to covering the operating costs of these facilities. Combined with unforeseen
projected necessary mechanical repair work, this has created a financial burden that WCA and the State
cannot bear.
WCA will continue to run the facility through December 31, 2009. Both the Washington State
Department of Parks and Recreation and West Coast Aquatics believe facilities such as this to be a
critical asset to the community.
The many families, employees and volunteers at WCA are thankful for the opportunity it received to
try and keep this important facility open, and they are saddened by the fact that they are not able to
continue to do so. West Coast Aquatics remains a strong and financially healthy organization, and will
continue to offer its award winning swim team and lesson programs from its Mill Creek facility.
Recognizing that many users and supporters of the Park and the Pool may have additional questions
about this decision and future plans for the Park, additional information may be obtained by contacting:
WA State Parks and Recreation Commission: (360) 902-6500 or www.parks.wa,gov
WEST Coast Aquatics: info@westcoastaquatics.us or 425-379-8806
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source-West Coast Aquatics press release
One Response to “St Edward Park Pool Operator, West Coast Aquatics gives “Notice to Vacate””
The city of Kenmore received the following letter from West Coast Aquatics:
November 25, 2009 To: City of Kenmore As you know, the board of West Coast Aquatics (WCA) tendered its 30 day notice to vacate the St. Edward State Park Carole Ann Wald Memorial Swimming Pool lease to the Washington State Department of Parks and Recreation on Tuesday 11/24/09. Despite our earnest desire to keep this facility running, the combination of a difficult economy and unacceptably high operating costs has not only rendered it impossible to maintain our presence at St Edwards, but has put the entire West Coast Aquatics nonprofit organization financially at risk. We have expended tremendous amounts of energy over the last 8 months reaching out to all aspects of the local community, and while we have certainly received a gratifying level of support from many sources like Evergreen Hospital, Bastyr University and the Friends of St Edward’s, we were not able to achieve a level of support that comes close to covering the operating costs of this pool. Additionally, we are grateful for the consideration the City of Kenmore has given to also supporting our efforts financially, but not even that would have been enough to sustain our efforts beyond December 2009. As a result, we plan to operate the facility through 12/31/09, at which time we will vacate the facility. We believe that facilities such as this are a critical asset to the community, and when we entered into this agreement with the State, we genuinely desired to make this work for our organization, and the local community in the Kenmore area. However, we must now as a Board put the fiscal health and long-term well being of the greater West Coast Aquatics organization first. West Coast Aquatics remains a strong and financially healthy organization, and will continue to offer its award winning swim team and lesson programs from its Mill Creek facility. We thank you again for your consideration and support as we worked to keep this important facility open, and we’re are saddened by the fact that we are not able to continue to do so. Sincerely, Terry Christenson President West Coast Aquatics