From: Jennifer Ott
To: John Jacobs
Cc: CityCouncil-List; Justin Long
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Proposed water park for Alameda Date: Monday, September 11, 2023 9:06:59 AM
Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. I'm glad to be back in Alameda and feel very fortunate to have this opportunity. I have forwarded your comments about the Aquatic Center to staff and the City Council is cced on this email so I am sure they will consider your comments as part of the agenda item at the upcoming 9/19 Council meeting.
Please take care.
Jen
Jennifer Ott, she/her
City Manager
City of Alameda
[email protected]
510-867-8237
-----Original Message-----
From: John Jacobs <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 8, 2023 5:28 PM
To: Jennifer Ott <[email protected]>
Cc: CityCouncil-List <[email protected]>; Justin Long <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Proposed water park for Alameda Hello, Ms. Ott,
First, I want to congratulate you on obtaining the position of City Manager for the City Of Alameda. I was a witness to your work at the former Naval Air Station conversion and I commend the Council on their hiring decision.
Beyond that, thank you for clarifying the agenda item for the upcoming city Council meeting. My quick read lead me to believe that the proposal is to build an aquatic center with slides and other amenities beyond the scope that I think the city should pursue.
Next, my recommendation regarding the choice of two locations would be for the city to pursue the location at Alameda Point. My understanding is that the Jean Sweeney location offers current advantages but I believe in the long-term the Alameda point location would serve the city better as it may be several more decades before the City is in a position to add another aquatic facility.
Additionally, I encourage a robust discussion of the ongoing maintenance expense and staffing needs for any new facility and program. Perhaps it was because I read the information quickly, but I didn’t see any numbers in any of the discussion.
In closing, my thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond to my emails. I know that you are very busy people and I appreciate your efforts.
Respectfully,
John Jacobs
Sent from my iPhone
> On Sep 8, 2023, at 5:03 PM, Jennifer Ott <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Hello Mr. Jacobs:
>
> Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the proposed development of an Aquatic Center in the City of Alameda. We appreciate your input, and your perspective. We share your commitment to providing aquatic opportunities for the community and wanted to clarify that the City of Alameda is not planning to build a water park. Instead, the project involves the construction of a competition-sized pool and a recreational pool, primarily for community lap swimming and swim lessons. The intention behind this project is to enhance recreational and athletic opportunities for residents and to promote water safety through swim lessons. >
> Thank you again for your email,
> Jennifer
>
> Jennifer Ott, she/her
> City Manager
> City of Alameda
> [email protected]
> 510-867-8237
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Jacobs <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, September 8, 2023 8:24 AM
> To: CityCouncil-List <[email protected]> > Subject: [EXTERNAL] Proposed water park for Alameda
>
> I am, and have always been opposed to the idea of the City Of Alameda creating a water park here. I am a lifelong supporter of swimming and water sports and recreation swimming but I just don’t see the need or that it’s worth the money to develop the proposed plan. More swimming pools in Alameda sounds appropriate but a water park is not appropriate for Alameda. I suggest the Council reconsider and not proceed with the project. >
> As an example of the challenges I refer you to the recent closure of Raging Waters in San Jose California. If a professional company of that size in a community the size of San Jose can’t succeed with it, I don’t see how Alameda can.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> John Jacobs
> 4th generation Alameda resident
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>