Correspondence - Updated 9/18 — Alameda City Council, September 17, 2024

From: Jonathan Moore
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50M pool advocation:

Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 6:17:29 PM

Good evening esteemed council members,
My name is Jonathan Moore and I am advocating for the 50M pool option please for the city of Alameda.
1) Our young athletes are asking for this 50M option, they want to be Olympians and deserve a shot to be just that in their home town. A 50M training facility is key for their success and dreams to become a reality.
2) The 50M pool WILL command a sphere of influence that will pull in the surrounding teams and we can finally hold large swim meets in Alameda and competitive meets. Olympic trials can also be held here! Non competitively ALL and i do state again ALL of the 30M pool activities can be held in a 50M facility. Your presenter tonight would have you think otherwise but what you are about to receive is a biased viewpoint. 3) The approval of a 30M pool WILL saturate the market, the two other facilities we have WILL be forced to compete with the 3rd facility for 30M swim programming and ultimately one will fail.
4) The population density of Alameda is approx 7,400 people per sq mile. Oakland is approx 8,000 per sq mile. Currently ALL 50M activities are being held in East Bay cities such as Walnut Creek, Moraga, Dublin and Pleasanton. The population densities of those towns are a measly 3,400 to 4,400! That means from a sphere of influence and economic capture our outlying cities are bleeding Alameda and Oakland dry of our populations hard earned money and putting it in their towns pockets.
5) The surveys sent out were not done correctly! I had to physically write in to a comments box “I would like to see a 50M pool option” and on the next survey we were given the option.

By that time it was too late! Alameda as a whole was under the impression the only option was a 30M pool and so the new surveys went massively unanswered.

Of the 34,000 residents in Alameda ONLY 3,000 responded. That is not a true representation of our city. It is only in the past two weeks that we are now starting to hear from everyone. 6) The cost recovery model for a 30M pool is incorrect. It relies on specific non guaranteed programming that is “at the will of the consumer”. A 50M pool brings guaranteed training teams programming 5 days per week minimum for 52 weeks per year! Ask the Gators team how often they train. The answer is 5x52.

PLEASE see through the biased presentation.

PLEASE do not fall back on poor data and a survey that IS NOT the voice of the masses.

PLEASE take this ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity to make Alameda be a beacon in the bay of athletic success.

And PLEASE if you need help then ask of it from me and the community. We can guide this to be an economic huge success, we can show you the correct programming, we can staff a 50M pool easier and more safely than 3 x 30M pools and most importantly we can rival our neighboring towns and bring their hard earned dollars in to Alameda.

As a construction business owner who’s sole daily focus is net profit i’m here to help if you need it, please don’t build “more of the same”, Alameda will not grow with that mindset.

My sincerest thanks,
Jonathan Moore
CEO
NorCal Remodeling Group &
Bath Planet NorCal
415-770-1032
(Cell)
[email protected]
Www.norcalrg.com
Www.bpnorcal.com
From: Mike Mike
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Advocate for 50M pool
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 5:43:19 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am sorry for sending this e-mail late. As a resident of Alameda with 3 children in our school system and through ARP programs, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents and the cities surrounding us.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I am strongly advocating for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world- class training space for my children. It would also enable youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility sets Alameda apart, raising the standard of our young athletes.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Mike Khem
From: Michelle Marie de Sousa Moore
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50-Meter Pool Request :-)
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 5:30:02 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a mother of two daughters (10 and almost 13) who love to swim, a fitness instructor, a college administrator who works closely with Cal Athletics, and an Alameda resident, I am very excited about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site.

Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fabulous addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like my daughters, students, clients, family/friends, and fellow athletes. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

Masters swimming attracts a diverse range of participants, from former competitive swimmers and open-water enthusiasts to triathletes, fitness swimmers, and newcomers, all united by their passion for staying active and improving in the sport regardless of age or ability. A 50-meter pool would allow us to better accommodate this diversity, creating a welcoming and functional space for all.

With Alameda’s population continuing to grow, this facility would be a valuable municipal resource that could meet our needs of various aquatic activities—from swim lessons to water aerobics—without compromising space or scheduling.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,
Michelle
--
Michelle M. de Sousa Moore, M.Ed
Manager for Graduate Student and Family Housing
Pronouns: She/Her/Ela
(510) 642-4109
UC Berkeley Housing Virtual Tour
Student Resources
"She believed she could, so she did." ~R.S. Grey
From: [email protected]
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [EXTERNAL] JSOSP Community Garden and Support for the Alameda Food Bank Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 4:03:05 PM
City Council Meeting
September 17, 2024
Item 7B (2024-4283)

Good evening Madam Mayor, Council members and City Staff,

I am writing on behalf of Alameda Backyard Growers (ABG), to ensure the community garden gets built as part of the Aquatic Center project.

Since its inception, ABG has been involved in the development of Jean Sweeney Open Space Park.

Back in 2013, when it was first imagined, the Park included a 2-acre community garden. ABG, together with Supervisor Wilma Chan, and countless volunteers, spent hundreds of hours to design the garden that would include garden plots for residents, an education space, a self-pick community fruit orchard, a pollinator garden, toolsheds and a composting area. In July of 2016, the City Council approved the JSOSP Plan and it included the community garden.

When it looked like the community garden space was a good location for the proposed Aquatic Center, ABG was asked how we felt about changing the garden location to accommodate the new project. The ABG Board voted to support the relocation, if the community garden could be included in the Aquatic Center Project.

More and more people in Alameda are concerned about food insecurity and turning to their backyards (if they have one) to grow their own food. We are constantly asked how people can get involved and unfortunately, we have no place to direct them.

We see it through our mailing lists, attendance at our workshops, and the donations we receive from Alameda residents. Alamedans care about the environment and they want to make changes in their lives to be more climate resilient. That includes planting and pruning trees, growing their own food, creating pollinator gardens, etc. What better place to make that a reality than through a community garden, especially for the 55% of our residents who don’t own their home and have no place to farm.

In your deliberations tonight, please direct staff to build the Community Garden as part of the Aquatic Center Project.

In addition to supporting the Community Garden, we ask that you stay firm in your support for the Alameda Food Bank. ABG partners with the Food Bank to receive and distribute the fresh produce our volunteers pick from trees in people’s back yard. They provide critical services to members of our community and it would be a local tragedy to see their project delayed or worse, denied.

Thank you,

Jillian Saxty
President of the Board of Alameda Backyard Growers
Alameda Backyard Growers, 501(c)3

From: Denise
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for 50m pool
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 3:09:45 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council:

As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50-meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world- class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Denise Hum
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: A. Spehr
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 7B swimming pool
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 2:34:32 PM
* If the idea is to maximize revenue, why is parking free? * What happened to the idea of using neighboring parking lots on weekends? We should use as little of our precious greenspace for parking as possible. * Bike parking. This is located on a major bike path, in the design please include bike parking for "SUV" bikes and trailers, i.e. the types of things parents use to transport kids. These take up more room than normal bikes, and can be longer or wider. * I picked the two pool solution originally, but should we be duplicating the many small pools on the island? Why not build the 50m pool and leave room for expansion later? Or vice versa? * CEQA. I am concerned that this project will be subject to CEQA review. There is a picture someone posted of the ground being flooded. I am worried some sourpuss will move to block everything.

Good luck making everybody happy!
Alex Spehr
EBMUD board candidate ward 5
From: Kevis Brownson
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 9/17 Meeting agenda item 7B Alameda Aquatic Center Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 2:01:16 PM
Honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council Members-
As I am completing my 41st year as a resident of Alameda, it is thrilling that the City has the opportunity to build a new Aquatics Center!
I am dismayed that the city is considering moving ahead with a 30 meter pool, instead of a more flexible option of building a competition size 50 meter pool. Especially in an Olympics year, it should be obvious that we need to build a proper competition pool in order to provide the right tools and for the athletes in our city who are swimmers.

I want to explain that I am a lifelong swimmer who does not remember learning to swim as I was very young. My parents met in the 1940s at the Oakland Swimming Association across the estuary. My late father is on the honorary Olympic team of 1944 and my mother attended the Pan American Games of 1955.

To reach the highest levels of competition it is essential that our athletes train in a long course, 50 meter pool for the long course season. They must go out of the city and pay for space in other locations in order to train. This is not equity.

In Alameda there will already be a brand new 30 meter pool at Alameda High School soon. Why duplicate?
Please make this once in a lifetime decision correctly and vote to build the 50 meter pool at Jean Sweeney Park.

Kevis Brownson
Everett Street
From: Cyndy Johnsen
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk; board
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7-B (Aquatic Center) on 7/19/2024 Agenda Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 1:52:04 PM
Attachments: 9-17-2024 CC Aquatic Center.pdf
Dear City Council,
We hope you will consider our comments regarding the Aquatic Center, attached.

Thank you,
Bike Walk Alameda Board
Board of Directors
Denyse Trepanier
President
Brian Fowler
Treasurer
Tim Beloney
Secretary
Cyndy Johnsen
Board Member
Maria Piper
Board Member
Lucy Gigli
Founder, non-voting
September 17, 2024
RE: Item 7-B: Aquatic Center
Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Members of the Council,
We don’t have input on pool designs, but we hope you will consider our comments related to how people will access the Aquatic Center.

With its location on the Cross Alameda Trail, we envision many people arriving by bike. It’s good to see plans for bike parking/storage for 100 bikes. It’s also important to ensure that the quality of the bike parking is suﬃcient. Along with regular U-shaped bike racks, there should be plenty of secure, longer-term parking accommodations, including for larger cargo bikes, as well as trikes and adaptive bikes. There are bigger lockers available now, and hangars, and other potentially more ﬂexible facilities like bike rooms or cages that would be good to consider. We suggest that ARPD coordinate with Planning, Building, and Transportation on this.

Regarding car parking, it’s great that Blue Rise Ventures is willing to share their parking lot. Much of that lot is currently under-used, often completely empty, not just on weekends and evenings, but on weekdays. It’s a travesty that any of our limited open space would be paved over for more car parking, but especially in this context, where there is already abundant under-used pavement adjacent, and where good alternatives to driving are available. More pavement will destroy habitat, exacerbate existing ﬂooding and stormwater issues, and increase heat island effects. We hope more work can be done to better leverage the adjacent lot and minimize or eliminate this new lot within the open space.

Related to this matter and to your discussions around managing the funding shortfall, we hope you will consider the opportunity to charge for parking (more on that here: Alameda's new aquatic center should have paid parking ).

Finally, it’s great to see the effort to reduce the Aquatic Center’s carbon footprint with electriﬁcation. Another important carbon reduction strategy that would align with the City’s goal of reducing ‘vehicle miles traveled’ would be to incentivize biking, walking, transit, or carpooling to the pool. It’s likely this facility will generate a lot of trips, so this could be very impactful. ARPD could engage a Transportation Demand Management consultant to implement a plan for this facility, and maybe others around our City that attract lots of visitors. Additional beneﬁts would be reduced traﬃc, reduced need for parking, and more space for parks.

Thank you for your consideration.

Bike Walk Alameda Board

From: Erik Johnson
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50m meter pool
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 1:42:54 PM
i'm a tax payer and i support it.
erik johnson
2168 Alameda ave
From: connie wong
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for a 50m pool at Jean Sweeney Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 12:16:38 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Connie Wong
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: Claudia Khem
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50 Meter Pool
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 9:16:36 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a resident of Alameda with 3 children in our school system, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents and the cities surrounding us.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for my children. It would also enable youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility sets Alameda apart, raising the standard of our young athletes.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Claudia Khem
From: Christine Larsen
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50m pool advantages for the entire Alameda community Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 7:36:03 AM
Dear city council,
I am writing to you today as a former competitive swimmer. I grew up in Southern California, where there was plenty of pool space and nice swim facilities. Swimming gave me a life-long love of fitness and being active. Swimming helped me get into a great university and continue my sport in college. Swimming kept me out of trouble in high school- when my friends were going to parties and drinking, I was usually in the pool. Swimming gave me a great community of similarly motivated friends. Swimming had a great impact on my life and it would be great if the youth swimmers in Alameda had those same chances, supported by a community that took their sport seriously.

It's amazing that a new community swim complex will be built in Alameda to help fill the need for community space and more swim team space. There are already a couple 30m pools on the island that can be used for water polo. The 50m pool is the only option that makes sense for the new community swim center, and it can benefit the entire community.

I have competed in pools all over the country and they all have one thing in common- they are all 50m pools. An Olympic sized pool is a requirement for hosting a swim meet on the United States Swimming level. Here are some of the reasons the 50m pool is the best option.

1. A 50m pool would allow the Gators program to expand and reach more Alameda kids.

When I was looking for my kids to join Gators so they could become strong swimmers, it took 2-3 years for them to be able to start due to capacity constraints. A 50m pool would allow the most swim space overall and the Gators program would be available to more kids. NOTE: my kids are not currently Gators swimmers.

2. Allowing swimmers to train in a 50m pool for the 50m summer swim season is essential.

Swimming a race in a 50m pool is much different than swimming a race in a 25 yard pool.

During the summer, competitive swimmers should be training in a 50m pool if they hope to be able to keep up with the competition.

3. Having a 50m pool complex would allow local and regional swim meets to be held in Alameda. This would bring more people into Alameda for swim meets, which would support the local economy and specifically the west end local economy. Alameda could be seen as a swimming community.

4. Masters swimmers, triathletes, open water and recreational swimmers can all benefit from training in a 50m pool as it builds stamina and endurance with the longer lap length.

5. Community members will also benefit from a bigger pool. When the pool is set up for 25 yard lanes, there will be more space for youth swim lessons, recreational swimming, water aerobics and other aquatic programs. Multiple programs can happen at one time, making this the best option for use of the new pool space.

6. Swimming 30m laps is not a thing. The 50m pool option is the only option that's flexible enough to allow swimming different lengths of the pool- 25 yards or 50m.

This is an opportunity for the city of Alameda, the city surrounded by water, to have its own Olympic sized pool and become a legitimate swimming community. Community members and business owners will benefit from the 50m pool option and it's an opportunity to add something new to Alameda. If the 30m option is chosen, it will be just another pool similar to what we already have on the island and all of these potential benefits will be lost. I appreciate your consideration of the reasons why a 50m pool is the best option for the new community swim center.

Respectfully,
Christine Larsen, Alameda resident
From: Darrah Jones
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Fwd: Alameda Aquatic Center
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 8:27:22 PM
Hello City Clerk Office Staff,
Please attach the below email to the city council meeting Tues. Sept. 17, 2024 agenda Item 7-B under public communication. Thank you!
Respectfully,
Darrah Jones, MSW, ASW #95689
(510) 388-4967
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Darrah Jones <[email protected]
>
Date: Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 8:04 PM
Subject: Alameda Aquatic Center
To: <[email protected]
>
Cc: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Hello Mayor Ashcraft and City Council Members,
My name is Darrah Jones. In addition to my full time job as a mental health therapist, I lifeguard and teach swim lessons for ARPD. I was also raised in Alameda and learned to swim at Emma, Encinal, Lincoln, and Franklin pools. I now swim, teach, coach, and guard at Encinal in my spare time. I'm at the pool every day, I interact with and listen to members of our community who actually utilize the pool, and I have the pulse of what Alameda citizens actually want.

Our city should not move forward with the 30 m pool and activity pool/baby pool option, Which, by the way, children grow out of a need for once they are about

6. Seriously, head over to Encinal any time. You'll notice the comp pool in use all day every day, and the baby pool completely empty. It's like that with the exception of lesson days, leaving the pool entirely useless in the hours outside of lessons. In contrast, people are going to Encinal to use the comp pool all day long. Once families children turn 6 they have no more need for a baby/activity/fun pool -- whatever you want to call it.

Come 2027 when this facility opens its doors, we will have 3 aquatic centers with the same design in a 2 mile radius. It makes zero sense. You have been told this is what the community wants, but does the community really want it three times over? Are 2 pools with this exact design not enough? What about something different for our island? Also, as stated above, I am at the pool every single day talking to people about this. I have yet to talk to one person who doesn't want the 50 m pool option.

Then again, everyone who actually goes to the pool knows that we already have Encinal and that Emma Hood will soon reopen. So none of them see any sense in building yet another of the same. People are ready for something different and new.

Our community has not been properly educated on this issue before surveyed. There are limitless benefits and opportunities 50 m pools have to offer. As one of the actual teachers in the water, teaching Alamedan children and adults alike, I want to stress how possible it is to offer swim lessons in a 50 m pool. Not only is it safe and perfectly suitable for lessons, you can place a divider in the pool and run concurrent programming while lessons are going on, serving more members in our community at the same time.

Here are some but not all of the programs and services you can offer Alameda with a 50 m pool. Swim lessons, lap swim, family swim, Baby and me classes, water aerobics, aquatic physical therapy, scuba certification courses, lifeguard certification courses, swim meets and competitions (HUGE money makers), swim team practices, water polo, kayak certification, community pool parties and gatherings, again, family swim, lessons, and water aerobics can all be offered with a 50 m pool at the same time. I want to emphasize that 50 m pools can accommodate up to 3 concurring programs all at once.

Our community has been misled to think that a 50 m pool does not offer lucrative programming and service opportunities to our island. 50 m pools are the true inclusive option for our community. With opportunities to serve all ages and aquatic needs of our island and its people. We're Alameda. We're an island. Everyone in Alameda should have access to swimming, and to learning how to swim. As an aquatics town, it would be absolutely bonkers to miss our opportunity for a 50 m pool.

If we miss out on this opportunity, it will be looked back upon as the biggest mistake in Alameda parks history. When we look around in 2027 and ask ourselves why we have 3 of the exact same facilities within 2 miles of one another, we will wonder why we didn't choose differently when we had the chance. A 50 m pool is the best option for our community. Please consider voting for the 50 m pool. It will be the most lucrative option, and all ages and people of our community will benefit for decades to come.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,
Darrah Jones, MSW, ASW #95689
(510) 388-4967
From: Marilyn Alwan
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda item 7B Aquatic Center
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 6:54:29 PM
Hello Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council Members:

I am a relative newcomer to Alameda and a lap swimmer. When I moved here I was disappointed to learn that I had come to live in a city surrounded by water but with no place to swim.

So I was excited to participate in the pre-COVID swim center meetings but these plans came to naught.

Beginning in the spring of this year a new swim center planning process began and I attended the meeting at the park, the two scheduled community meetings and the third added-on community meeting and completed the survey.

The community has spoken when 75% of the survey respondents chose the two pool option. The Recreation and Parks Commission has voted for the two pool plan. Unlike the high school pools and the membership pools, this will be the only swim facility completely managed by the City and programmed to meet the varied needs and interests of the Alameda community.

I ask that you vote to approve the two pool plan. I also ask that you approved the energy saving electric option.

Thank you.

Marilyn Alwan
From: Adena Why
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Proposed 50m pool at John Sweeney
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 1:37:24 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,

As a swimmer that uses facilities in Alameda, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

The space could also be rented out for events such as swim meets. The crowd size at the recent Summer Olympics clearly shows the interest in, and financial ability of, those who participate in and like to watch swimming at a high level. Events like this would also generate revenue for the surrounding businesses.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Adena Why
Long time swimmer in Alameda
From: Zeb Lemke
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] support for a 50M pool
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 12:22:33 PM
Attachments: Support for 50M Pool.pdf
Mrs. Ashcraft and Council Members,
See attached letter with my support for a long course pool in Alameda.

I appreciate your consideration, but understand you're busy and don't expect a direct email response.

Thanks
Zeb Lemke

From: David Popko
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] New Pool for Alameda
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 11:19:46 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am a new resident in the area and am thrilled with plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. I look forward to being a part of a future Alameda that becomes known as a premiere destination for aquatic programs in the community and beyond.

It is disheartening, therefore, to hear strong opposition to an olympic-sized 50 meter pool at the proposed facility. A 50 meter pool can be managed creatively to support all partipants in all activities. Smaller pools are invaluable, and yet more restrictive, less inclusive, and attract limited numbers.

Professional aquatic facilities are known for their 50+ meter pool first and foremost. Many cities in California understand this and find creative and profitable ways to invest in construction and maintenance.

It will be a shame if Alameda invests in a small pool that only duplicates others in the area.

Please consider supporting all future Alameda residents by seizing the opportunity a full-sized pool offers.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
David Popko
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
From: Annie Horn
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for 50 Meter Pool
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 11:18:48 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
It’s been my pleasure to live in Alameda and swim with the Alameda Aquatics Masters team for the past 10 years. The aquatics community here is incredible and I hope you listen to their decades of experience at our pools with the earnestness they deserve.

As a swimmer and a mother of a pool loving toddler I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Any additional pool will be welcome but I am voicing my strong support for a 50 meter pool complex because I believe it would allow for more opportunities for the children of our community and significantly expand pool access and programming for the entire East Bay region.

An Olympic sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers of all ages, open water swimmers, triathletes and water polo teams while still having the flexibility to support swim lessons, water aerobics, etc. With such a pool Alameda could become a major hub of the Bay Area aquatics community at large which is lacking in these types of facilities.

To illustrate my perspective, I was privileged to grow up in an area with highly competitive aquatics programming and participated in CIF Division 1 Varsity teams for swimming and waterpolo. My high school had a pool about the size of Encinal High for Novice through JV and our Varsity teams practiced at a 50 meter pool off campus (MWR Aquatic Training Center
; also functions as the City community pool
and the USA Women's Olympic Water Polo training facility). That was the infrastructure for just one high school. Contrast that to the situation Alameda is in now. We have three high schools (that I know of) plus all public programming at one small pool. Unfortunately that means many kids who want to participate in competitive swimming are unable to due to size and scheduling restraints.

Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design and adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. A 50 meter pool would complement the pools we already have and expand the City of Alameda’s aquatic offerings. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community and I urge you to support the 50 meter pool option.

Thank you for your consideration and for your action regarding the construction of our new pools!
Sincerely,
Annie Horn
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer

ANNIE HORN
anniehornstudio.com
510.612.0514
From: Greg Lee
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Jean Sweeney 50 Meter Pool
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 10:51:07 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50-meter pool option.

Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

Masters swimming attracts a diverse range of participants, from former competitive swimmers and open- water enthusiasts to triathletes, fitness swimmers, and newcomers, all united by their passion for staying active and improving in the sport regardless of age or ability. A 50-meter pool would allow us to better accommodate this diversity, creating a welcoming and functional space for all.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Greg Lee
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: Inger Beaird
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50M Pool
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 10:31:12 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50-meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Inger Beaird
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
--
Inger Beaird
This girl loves to tri!
Everyone is an athlete. But some of us are training, and some of us are not." --Dr. George Sheehan, runner/writer/philosopher From: Clifton Linton
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Please support the 50-meter pool design option Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 10:29:25 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world- class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Clif Linton
510-418-1573 (cell)
Board Member, Alameda Aquatic Masters
From: Randell Sharpe
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Letter to City Council advocating 50-meter swimming pool Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 9:06:24 AM
Attachments: Alameda City Council 50 meter pool.pdf
Attached please find my letter to the mayor and city council advocating for approval of a 50 meter swimming pool facility in Alameda. Please provide this to the mayor and council for the upcoming meeting addressing this issue.

Thank you,
Randell Sharpe AMS
Sharpe Surveying & Consulting
242 Inverness Ct.

Alameda, CA 94502
(510) 337-0706
[email protected]
From: Kristen Koblik
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7B--support for 50 meter pool in Jean Sweeney Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 8:16:08 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I'm a life-long swimmer and water polo player, and I'm writing to advocate for the 50 meter pool option for the Jean Sweeney open space site. My position is that any time you have the space and opportunity to create a 50 meter pool, you should take it.

I grew up in Davis, CA, where the youth aquatics community has been strong for more than 40 years. One thing we didn't have, and sorely felt the lack of, was a 50 meter pool. This meant that we couldn't host major swim meets or water polo tournaments, and that our teams were always traveling for better opportunities elsewhere. We lost swimmers to teams that had access to Olympic-sized training venues, and the lack of space meant that our programs were not as inclusive as they could have been. I spent at least three summers as a kid waking up at 4 in the morning to make it to a 4:30 am practice in the next city over, because they had a 50 meter pool and we did not, and 4:30 was the only time that the city would rent space to us. That's how important having access to a long-course pool is for developing swimmers who want to make time cuts for next-level meets.

If Alameda had a 50 meter pool, our youth aquatics programs would be more competitive and more inclusive. We would be able to host meets and tournaments that would drive business to the city, strengthen our aquatics programs, and better serve the community at large. Youth aquatics in both swimming and water polo are on the rise and likely to be for some time, and I bet that if you asked any city manager that deals with pool space in the surrounding area, they would tell you that their 50 meter pool time is maxed out, and they wish they could fit in another one.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Kristen Koblik
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer, Open-water swimmer, and Master's water polo player --
Kristen Koblik
415.828.6845
[email protected]
From: Celeste L.

To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: Amelia McDonald Busenitz
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for a 50m pool
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 5:47:20 AM
Dear Mayor Ashcraft and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will greatly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

An Olympic-sized pool would provide better facilities for wings such as myself, and would also provide a world-class training facility for young swimmers inspired to emulate exciting Olympic performances of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, among other greats, over recent years.

Additionally, the 50m pool would
allow Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams
and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

Swimming is a critical life-saving skill. Expanded programs and a longer pool will produce stronger swimmers who are able to swim greater lengths with skill and confidence, in Alameda and beyond.

This is a truly a *once-in-a-lifetime* opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community.

I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Celeste Lane
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: Holly Johnson
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for a 50m pool
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 1:25:14 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50-meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world- class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Holly Johnson
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: Anne Delp
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50 Meter Pool
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 9:54:41 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Anne Delp
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: Ashley Eggart
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50m Pool Support
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 8:29:44 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Ashley Eggart
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: MaryAnne Kaplan
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Jean Sweeney site
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 6:48:30 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
MaryAnne Kaplan
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
From: Drew Swartz
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 9/17/24 Agenda Item 7B: Support for 50-Meter Pool Design at Alameda Aquatic Center Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 6:21:59 PM
Attachments: Alameda Aquatic Center.pdf
Dear Mayor & City Council,
Thank you for bringing us closer to realizing the Alameda Aquatic Center. I eagerly look forward to the day when this vision becomes a reality. My name is Drew Swartz. I am the Vice Chair of the Alameda Recreation and Park Commission, a former competitive swimmer, a current Alameda Aquatics swimmer, and the father of a 3-year-old.

I am writing to express my support for the 50 meter design for the Alameda Aquatic Center. Swimming has been a lifelong passion of mine. I began competitive swimming at the age of 12, swam through high school and college, and continue to swim with Alameda Aquatic Masters. My journey in the water extends beyond just competing—I started lifeguarding at 15, began teaching swim lessons at 17, and have coached swimmers at the youth, masters, and collegiate levels.

Access to a 50 meter pool is crucial for swimmer development, as it is the standard for major competitions, like the Olympics, and summer USA Swimming club meets. Long course (50 meter) training builds the endurance, speed, and technique needed for these events and helps swimmers develop race strategies for the longer distances between turns.

It also benefits triathletes by enhancing their stamina and efficiency needed for the open- water portion of their races. Without regular long course training, swimmers may struggle to meet the demands of these competitions, limiting their potential.

There are 4 key reasons why a 50 meter pool design at Jean Sweeney Park is the best long-term choice for the Alameda Aquatic Center, ensuring our growing community’s aquatic needs are met, not just now but in the future.

1. Consider All Our Aquatic Facilities as a Unified System We must view our aquatic facilities as a unified system. With a 30 meter pool and activity pool already being built at Alameda High School, it seems illogical to create another similar facility at Jean Sweeney. Encinal High School also already has an activity pool for swim lessons and other youth programming. A 50 meter pool would complement the facilities at Encinal and Alameda High, allowing for diverse programming across all three sites.

With ARPD already utilizing Encinal and Alameda High pools, especially during peak summer demand, a 50 meter pool offers new possibilities rather than duplicating existing options. Furthermore, no public 50 meter facility exists in western Alameda County, highlighting the regional need for such a space. (See attachment for comparison of future Alameda High School design currently under construction to design of 30 meter and activity pool for Alameda Aquatic Center)

2. Provides More Flexibility and Parallel Programming
A 50 meter pool offers more flexibility than a 30 meter pool with an activity pool. It can have a deeper end for competitive swimming and water polo, and a shallower end for swim lessons and recreational programs. Removable swim platforms, already used by ARPD, can create shallow areas for lessons, potentially generating more revenue than projected in the cost recovery model. Cities like San Ramon, Pleasanton & Walnut Creek run diverse programs in their 50 meter pools, proving Alameda can do the same. An activity pool, limited by depth and temperature, make them unsuitable for athletic training. A 50 meter pool provides the ability to be adaptable, ensuring the city has the facilities to meet the seasonal and changing needs of the community.

3. Allows for Economic Impact from Hosting Regional Events A 50 meter facility would enable Alameda to host regional swim meets and water polo tournaments, generating significant economic activity. While the 30 meter design limits competitive opportunities, a 50 meter pool would not only serve local athletes but attract participants and spectators from across the region. For example, Sacramento Masters recently hosted a Masters Swimming Champiothey with 780 swimmers, 64% who traveled over 60 minutes to participate and 41% of which stayed at least 1 night in a hotel, boosting the local economy. It also gives the school district the required pool space to host high school championship swim meets and water polo tournaments such as WACC & CIF championships.

4. Addresses the Shortage of Lane Space
Alameda’s current pool space is insufficient to meet the growing demand for youth swimming and water polo. The Alameda Gators, the local youth swim program, must hold some practices at Mills College and Chabot College. Meanwhile the Neptunes, the youth water polo club, has practices as late as 9:30pm due to limited pool availability. As Assistant City Manager Wooldridge pointed out at the October 2022 City Council meeting, only 50% of interested youth can currently participate in our year-round aquatic programs. A 50 meter pool would alleviate these constraints, expanding opportunities for both youth and adult programs and bringing Alameda’s aquatic team offerings in line with comparable cities.

In short, a 50-meter pool at Jean Sweeney would offer greater flexibility, economic potential, and opportunities for Alameda’s aquatic programs to thrive. ARPD programs can already be accommodated at Encinal and Alameda High School swim facilities and most, if not all, of these programs can still be accommodated in a 50 meter pool. I encourage the city to prioritize the long-term needs of our community and approve the 50 meter design.

I recognize the strong public support for the 30 meter pool with an activity pool, as reflected in survey results, but the 50 meter option has been unfairly portrayed as serving only competitive athletes (which is reiterated by some of the public comments sent to the commission). The community has not been fully informed about the benefits of the 50 meter design or the programming that will be supported by the new Alameda High School activity pool. Concerns raised at community meetings were not addressed in public communications or follow-up surveys, leading to a skewed perception. As I have outlined, a 50 meter facility, combined with the pools at Alameda and Encinal High Schools, can meet both recreational and ARPD programming needs while also allowing youth aquatic programs to thrive and grow. In fact, before construction even begins on the city aquatic center, the Alameda High School activity pool will be open, offering swim lessons, family swim and senior programs.

Thank you for your consideration on this very important decision that will impact our aquatic programs for decades to come.

Best regards,
Drew Swartz
Alameda HS Pool
Under Construction
Summer 2025
Alameda Aquatic Center
Concept A
Spring 2027
*schematics taken directly from Community
Session #3 presentation by ARPD

From: [email protected]
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50 M pool for Alameda!
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 5:50:35 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Carrie Parker Wasson
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
Sent from my iPhone
Carrie Wasson, PsyD
(She/Her)
From: Lisa Elizabeth Haupert
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] New Pool - making the best investment for the future Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 1:34:17 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters and the grandparent of a water and swimming loving 9 year old, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50-meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world- class training space for swimmers like myself and my grandchild. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Lisa Haupert
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
--
Lisa (Elizabeth) Haupert, PMHNP-C
Pronouns: she, her, hers
1-615-337-0853
[email protected]
From: Craig Palmer
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50 Meter Pool Option
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 1:10:23 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50-meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world- class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Craig Palmer
From: Sheila Donnelly
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 50- meter pool
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 12:27:46 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Sheila Donnelly
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kate MacDonald
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] New Aquatic Center at Jean Sweeney
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 12:22:38 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council,
As a swimmer with Alameda Aquatic Masters, I am thrilled about the plans to build a new pool at the Jean Sweeney Open Space site. Having year-round access to a new swim facility will be a fantastic addition to our community. It will undoubtedly enhance the range of aquatic programs available to Alameda residents.

While any new pool is a welcome development, I want to strongly advocate for the 50- meter pool option. Alameda already has two similar facilities to the 30-meter with activity pool design. Adding another would not significantly expand our community’s aquatic capacity and programming. An Olympic-sized pool would provide a world-class training space for swimmers like myself. It would also enable Alameda Aquatic Masters, as well as youth teams and swimmers not affiliated with any team, to practice long course (50 meter) swimming in the summer. This type of facility is a critical need for any swimmer preparing for open water swims, triathlons and long course competitions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a facility that serves the long-term needs of our community, and I urge you to support the 50-meter pool option.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Kate MacDonald
Alameda Aquatic Masters Swimmer
Sent via Vulcan mind meld.

From: Amy LaThanh
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 2-pool support for the Alameda Aquatic Center Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 7:40:09 PM
Hi there,
I'm emailing to express my support for the two pool option at the Alameda Aquatic Center.

This is in reference to agenda item 7B.

We are a family that lives on Chochenyo Park and would love to be able to access a facility that has a smaller pool for our kids in addition to a larger pool as well.

Thank you!
Cheers,
Amy LaThanh
1240 Park Ave
From: Jessica Chan
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Comment on item 7B- 2024-4283
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 5:26:41 PM
Hi,
I would like to voice my strong support of the two pool design for the proposed City Aquatic Center at Jean Sweeney Park. I am a homeowner within 3 blocks of the proposed site and have lived here for over 11 years. I have a 9 year old child who would use the two pool design often. I do not know how to swim and have a physical disability that makes swimming difficult, so the two pool design would be of great use to me. The one pool design would be close to useless for us. I urge the City Council to proceed with the two pool design.

Thank you,
Jessica Chan
Alameda, CA
From: Sahrye Cohen
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for 2 pool approach, request for consideration of plush park.

Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 3:49:01 PM
Dear Council members,
As I put in my repeated input to the citywide surveys, I support a 2 pool approach to a new aquatic center. The recreation demand is far larger than competition demands for facilities and a supermajority of those surveyed support 2 pools.

While swimming remains a recreational activity, splash parks are increasingly in demand and a great activity for families and people who don’t know how to swim. https://www.msa-ps.com/the-splash-pad-revolution-cool-locales-hot-commodities/ The final alternatives for the aquatic center should really have a splash park design. The Council should consider recommending splash parks in conjunction with new park and residential development.

In addition, if we are assessing recreation pools in Alameda the council should give a hard look at why 2 pools in public parks are privatized and gatekeeped in wealthy neighborhoods, and how we can reopen those as public resources.

Sincerely,
Sahrye Cohen
From: M Kazda
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Alameda Aquatic Center
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 2:16:57 PM
Hello there! I wanted to provide my support for a 2 pool plan for the Alameda Aquatic Center that will be discussed on Sept. 17, 2024. I am unable to attend but my reason for this support is primarily that more than one activity can be accommodated at the same time. If kids want to play they can be in one space while the other can be utilized for lap swimming, swim meets, classes etc.

Having this amenity will make Alameda even better than it already is.

Thank you!
--
-Michala Kazda
1718 Jay Street
From: William Simpson
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: Jacy Gaige
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Alameda Aquatic Center
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 2:09:33 PM
Dear Members of the City Council,
We are writing to express our family's strong support for the 2 pool approach to the Alameda Aquatic Center. This is only the approach that serves the entire community, and we note that it has been clearly favored by a super-majority of respondents to the public outreach surveys. It's also the more fiscally responsible choice with significantly higher projected revenues from signifcantly higher projected public programming. For these reasons, the 2 pool approach has now been recommended by the Department of Recreation and Parks and by the Recreation and Park Commission. Please don't let the animated voices of the competitive swimming community drown out the voices of the vast majority of residents.

Notwithstanding the arguments frequently made, there is no other meaningful public aquatic infrastructure in Alameda. As you are aware, the high school pools belong to the School District, and priority use for the schools leaves the general public with permanently limited access. And the pools at Lincoln Park and Franklin Park, which ought to be public, were instead inappropriately privatized at their inception. Please don't allow the new Aquatic Center, and all of our tax dollars, to effectively also only serve a narrow segment of Alameda residents. We're happy for the competive swimming community to benefit from the 25 yard x 30 meter competition pool. But kids and seniors should have the ability to enjoy the warmer and shallower activity pool. Accordingly we ask you to please vote to approve the 2 pool approach.

Separately, we also highly support the proposal to locate the building and entrance east of the pools, adjacent to the parking lot.

Sincerely,
Billy Simpson and Jacy Gaige
Alameda Residents
From: Trish Spencer
To: City Clerk
Subject: Fwd: Alameda Aquatic Project
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 12:15:03 AM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steven Jones <[email protected]>
Date: Sep 12, 2024 9:24 PM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Alameda Aquatic Project
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft <[email protected]>,Tony Daysog <[email protected]>,Tracy Jensen <[email protected]>,Trish Spencer <[email protected]>,Malia Vella <[email protected]> Cc:

Sent from my iPad
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:

After watching the Recreation & Parks meeting this evening via zoom, i wanted to lend my support for the 50 Meter Pool Option. It is in my interest that the City have the ability to generate sufficient income going forward through the decades and only the 50 meter pool offers that option.

The vast majority of speakers (most of whom are instructors and lifeguards) strongly supported the 50 meter option. At times spending more money up front to secure the future of aquatics, let alone keeping the program solvent, is difficult but your tasked with the BEST long term decision for the City.

I strongly encourage all of you to talk with the folks who are in support of the 50 meter pool and i believe it will be clear that option “B” is a no brainer.

I also believe that the survey which went out to our citizens did not properly explain the benefits of a 50 meter pool vs a 30 meter pool. Option “B” will also result with two 30 meter pools. So do we need three 30 meter pools, or two 30 meter pools and one 50 meter pool.

Steve Jones
From: Jonathan Moore
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Jean Sweeney 50M pool.

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024 6:56:57 PM
Good evening,
I wanted to send across an email for the support of the 50M pool design option so that it may be shared.

Esteemed City Council members… Thank you for being here tonight and allowing me the privilege of standing before you.

My name is Jonathan Moore, I am a proud and grateful 10yr military veteran, a proud father of two beautiful mermaids. My family and I are proud Alameda residents of almost 13 years, my daughters were both born here and began in Peter Pan pre school and now go to Otis and Wood schools.

I am a US patriot and citizen who is fortunate to own and operate a $15 million dollar per year residential remodeling business here in Alameda that services the bay area.

I speak with you today not because I am a super elite swimmer but because I am a veteran who’s suffered with PTSD and my life was saved in January this year by coach Amelia and the Masters Swim program.

In short had officer Pete Larsen of APD not introduced me to Amelia and the Masters team then I’d have been a statistic in the bay by spring and forgotten about by now. I am grateful to be here today and stand before you as a humble IronMan triathlete representing my family and community.

I am here because of my daughters and their young friends of the Alameda Aquatics community DESERVE A VOICE, THEY DESERVE YOUR ACTION, GIVING THEM A POSITIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR FUTURE!
The kids and the families are asking for a 50M pool option to be built. To quote the kids from one of the families… “The 50 meter pool needs to happen! Anything else is ridiculous”. It’s amazing how wise 12 year olds are!
Currently The Alameda Gators are forced to practice in Oakland and Hayward because there isn’t the lane space nor the competitive infrastructure in Alameda to support their olympic dreams. I’ll say it again… Their Olympic dreams!
For reference, the Hayward pool is 20 miles away, and 20 miles on the 880 southbound parking lot isn’t 20 mins, it’s generally 40 - 45 each way. Try getting there in after school traffic and let me know how you get on, I drive it daily… it ain’t pretty Due to the lack of infrastructure and lane space “The Neptunes” are currently forced to be in the pool on a weekday at 9:30pm.

That’s 9:30pm when most folks here are getting tucked up in bed.

The serious heartfelt question begs…. Are we going to allow our children to suffer just to save $$’s and replicate what we already have? Is that what you’d do to your own kid? Or should we take a minute now, look in the mirror and say our children deserve better and not to be held hostage to a budget delta differential.

Is it right that we condemn their olympic future and Alameda’s Town reputation of producing highly successful athletes when right here and now you have the power to make positive effective change for them.

It’s fitting that we’re having this conversation in an Olympic Year.

How proud will you be in the years to come when you watch the olympics with friends and see Brighton DeSousa-Moore USA WINS Women’s Gold! And you get to proudly say “That’s an Alameda Island girl!! I was part of the council that approved our competition sized pool!”
And finally how awesome will it feel each night when you go to sleep knowing that you made a long term financial gain decision for Alameda?
Short term the decision for a replication of the other facilities we have is enticing, pretty, it’s easy and pinches the pennies so the city looks good.

But it’s the easy way out, right? It serves others, but not the aquatic community and drives away athletic success.

Long term the 50M option hurts quite a bit at first but then pays off year over year with a stream of revenue and grows in business stature and community success.

I don’t stand here before you today as a businessman just asking for you to spend my hard earned epic amount of taxes I pay yearly. I come to you today foremost with the requests of our children and the open business offer of free guidance and support from a successful businessman’s mindset, that is if you would like it?
I am happy to give my on the ground analysis and help of how to recoup the delta difference and make your investment pay Alameda back in full and be a very profitable investment for the future. I began my business with $20K, it now runs at $15M. Together we can get your pool profitable!
On behalf of our children’s dreams and the future competition revenue stream please vote to approve a 50M design option and DO NOT DUPLICATE what is already here in Alameda. Three of the same makes zero sense.

Please… Look inwards, BE BOLD, BUILD CORRECTLY and witness YOUR INSPIRATIONAL & BUSINESS BEAUTY bring out the best in your town’s youth and increase the towns revenue for the many years to come.

Many thanks,
Jonathan Moore
CEO
NorCal Remodeling Group &
Bath Planet NorCal
415-770-1032
(Cell)
[email protected]
Www.norcalrg.com
Www.bpnorcal.com
From: Janet Weber
To: Justin Long; CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Feedback: Aquatic Center and Future-Proofing our Aquatic Facilities Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024 10:13:16 AM
Dear City Council Members and ARPD Commission Members,
I am writing to express my strong support for the construction of the new aquatic center in our city, equipped with multiple pools, including a 50-meter competition pool and a dedicated activity/warm-up pool. As our community continues to grow, so does the need for versatile and inclusive recreational facilities that promote health, fitness, and community engagement. By virtue of the name aquatic center, Alameda should be building a facility that offers multiple pools that offer a variety of waters sports and recreational amenities.

I’m here to advocate for the planning and development of a state-of-the-art aquatic center that not only meets the current needs of our community but also anticipates and supports our future growth and aspirations. As our city continues to expand, it is crucial that we invest in facilities that will serve our residents for years to come, enhancing the quality of life, promoting public health, and fostering community spirit.

Rationale for an Aquatic Center and Future-Proofing our Aquatic Facilities:

1. Population Growth and Demand: Our city’s population is rapidly growing, and with it, the demand for public amenities. An aquatic center designed to accommodate future needs will prevent overcrowding and ensure that all residents have access to high-quality recreational and competitive swimming facilities. By planning ahead, we can avoid the costly and disruptive need for expansions or renovations in the near future.

2. Supporting Competitive Swimming and Community Events: A 50-meter competition pool would accommodate our growing community of competitive swimmers, including local swim teams, high school teams, and future athletes.

Currently, our athletes travel to other cities for proper training, and an in-city facility would allow them to practice locally, reduce travel time, and foster a sense of pride in our community.

A 50-meter competition-ready aquatic center would allow our city to host local, regional, and even national swim meets, diving competitions, and water polo tournaments. This would not only provide our athletes with a high-quality venue but also generate significant economic benefits from visitors and event participants. A forward-thinking design can position our city as a regional hub for aquatic sports.

3. Learn-to-Swim Programs: Drowning prevention is a critical concern, particularly for children. An aquatic center would allow us to offer comprehensive swim lessons, water safety classes, and lifeguard training programs, making our community safer and more prepared.

4. Inclusivity, Accessibility and Diverse Aquatic Programming: A well-planned aquatic center should include a variety of pools and features that can support a broad range of activities, such as swim lessons, water aerobics, lap swimming, competitive training, and leisure swimming. Thoughtful design, including a 50- meter competition pool, an activity/ warm-up pool, and spaces for adaptive and therapeutic use, will make the center versatile and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities including those with disabilities, injuries, or chronic pain, who require warmer water for therapy and rehabilitation.

5. Environmental and Financial Sustainability: By incorporating sustainable design features such as energy-efficient heating, advanced filtration systems, and solar power, the aquatic center can minimize its environmental footprint and reduce operational costs. Investing in green technologies and durable materials will ensure that the center remains an asset to our city for decades, rather than a financial burden. This is an opportunity for the City of Alameda to work in tandem with Alameda Municipal Power to ensure that the aquatic center represents a step forward in Alameda’s energy-saving and environmental initiatives.

The construction of an aquatic center with a 50-meter competition pool and a warm- up pool would be a significant investment in the health, safety, and economic vitality of our community. I strongly urge the council to prioritize an extended budget for this project and allocate the necessary resources to make it a reality. By doing so, we would be investing in a facility that would serve the community for decades to come, promoting wellness, supporting our athletes, and creating a facility that meets our immediate needs while also anticipating future growth.

Having both the competition and activity pool means that the city would have to increase the originally proposed $45 million budget to accommodate a multi-pool option. This is Alameda’s only opportunity to plan for diverse aquatic needs for the next 50 years. My concern with the 2 current proposals is that both fall short of satisfying the community’s needs. With the current options we are settling on a pool that either recreates the exact facilities we have today (30-meter + activity pool at Emma Hood and Encinal) or builds a single 50-meter pool that eliminates the multi- use function of a true aquatic center.

As a lifelong resident, I urge the City of Alameda to consider the examples set by other Bay Area communities such as as Moraga, Walnut Creek, Vallejo, Brentwood, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Concord, San Ramon, and Mountain View, which have invested in comprehensive and competitive aquatic facilities. Alameda has a unique opportunity to create a multi-use aquatic center that meets the needs of our community.

If an increased budget is currently unfeasible, I would appreciate hearing the City’s plan to allocate space and resources for a phased approach. For example, Phase 1 could involve constructing a 50-meter pool, followed by an activity pool in Phase 2.

This strategy would allow Alameda to build a top-tier aquatic facility over time Thank you for considering this proposal. I look forward to your positive response and am happy to assist in any way possible to bring this vision to life.

Sincerely,
Janet Weber
Parent, Alameda Aquatic Master Swimmer, community volunteer, and life-long Alameda resident
[email protected]
510-205-5391
From: Scott Harding
To: Justin Long
Cc: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for the 2 Pool Approach at Alameda Aquatic Center Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 8:55:45 AM
Dear Members of the Recreation and Park Commission and City Council, I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed 2 pool approach at the Alameda Aquatic Center. As a parent of two young children, I am particularly invested in this issue, and I urge you to consider the significant benefits this plan offers to our community.

A recent survey conducted by the design firm in May showed that 75% of Alameda residents favor having two pools at the Aquatic Center. This feedback highlights the community's desire for a facility that caters to a diverse range of needs. The proposed plan includes a 25 yard x 30 meter competition pool for races and water polo, as well as a separate activity pool designed for casual recreation. This dual-pool setup would not only support competitive athletes but also provide a valuable space for families, seniors, and recreational swimmers.

As a parent, I am particularly concerned about ensuring that my children have access to safe and engaging swimming opportunities. The 2 pool approach would offer one of the few options for my children to participate in swimming activities in our area. The separate activity pool would provide a safe and accessible environment for kids to learn and enjoy swimming, which is crucial for their safety and development. Without this option, families like mine may have limited access to quality swimming facilities, impacting our children's opportunities for healthy recreation.

The alternative proposal of a single 50 meter pool primarily serves competitive swimmers and could restrict access for general recreation. While regional swim meets are important, it is essential that our Aquatic Center also meets the recreational needs of families and casual swimmers.

I urge you to support the 2 pool approach to ensure that the Alameda Aquatic Center is a community asset that benefits everyone. Your vote in favor of this plan will demonstrate a commitment to providing a facility that serves all residents and enhances the quality of life for families in our city.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your dedication to our community.

Sincerely,
Scott Harding

Alameda City CouncilSeptember 17, 2024

Alameda City Council
September 17, 2024