Join us at our Community Meeting!
We invite you to join us at our upcoming Community Meeting to learn the latest and how you can support our efforts.
Wednesday, November 20th at 6:00 pm at the Amazon Everest Building located at 425 106th Ave NE, Bellevue. Thank you to our community partner Amazon in providing us with this central downtown Bellevue location. Please kindly RSVP and grab a friend to join you!
All registered attendees will be entered to win a SPLASHForward swag basket as a door prize. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased during registration and at the event for additional SPLASHForward swag baskets which include special community partner donations.
Master Plan Adopted Unanimously by City Council
Bellevue Airfield Park Concept Plan received a modified determination of non-significance by the SEPA environmental review on Aug 1st and was adopted by the Bellevue City Council on Sept 17th.
Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter to stay in the know and join us at a soon to be released community meeting!
Bellevue City Council unanimously voted to adopt the updated master plan for Bellevue Airfield Park on September 17th. As a key element of the plan, the new Bellevue Aquatic Center’s home is now secured at Bellevue Airfield Park. This is an incredible milestone for our efforts and sets the stage for our private fundraising role in partnership with the city.
There are immediate funds in the city’s budget through the 2008 Parks Levy to begin development of the park and there are funds allocated to begin the design phase of the aquatic center from the 2022 Parks Levy and existing city budget. We’re keenly watching the Capital Improvement Project budget for 2025-26 for allocation of additional funds for the new Bellevue Aquatic Center. SPLASHForward has been a partner with the City of Bellevue since 2018 and became a formal funding partner in March 2022. We anticipate raising north of $50 million in private funding toward the projected $125 million aquatic center concept plan.
Bellevue Airfield Park SEPA Determination Issued
On August 1st, a modified determination of non-significance was issued by the environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for the Master Plan Update for Bellevue Airfield Park. This means the updated master plan does not have a ‘probable significant adverse impact upon the environment’ allowing the council and Parks Board preferred master plan to go before Bellevue City Council for adoption.
The new Bellevue Aquatic Center is a roughly 130,000 square foot concept plan with five bodies of water with something for everyone. In a region that hasn’t seen a new public aquatic center in 54 years, this will be a major investment in our community for much needed affordable access to essential swimming skills and aquatic opportunities.
Bellevue Airfield Park Concept Plan received a modified determination of non-significance by the SEPA environmental review on August 1st..
What you can do to show support
Fill out our form to share why you support the new Bellevue Aquatic Center. You can also share with us what you will use most and what is most important to you at the new aquatic center.
We want to hear from you! To ensure that the new Bellevue Aquatic Center meets your needs and expectations, we are running a SPLASHForward Listen & Learn Survey.
Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand community awareness, perceptions, and preferences regarding aquatic facilities. This quick 11-question survey will only take a few minutes, but your input will have a lasting impact on our efforts to build a center that fosters water safety, community connections, and healthy lifestyles for all.
Please share this with your friends, family, & networks! Thank you!
Kirkland's Next Steps
Visualization of an 86,000 sq ft Aquatic and Recreation Center at Houghton Park & Ride by Opsis Architecture from the 2023 Kirkland Aquatic and Recreation Feasibility Study. The center was a major component of the failed November ’23 Parks Ballot Measure.
YES for Kirkland Pools & Parks promotional video for the failed November ’23 Prop 1. The Pro Campaign was led by our Co-Founder and President Susan Pappalardo.
The November ’23 Parks Ballot Measure that included an 86,000 sq ft Aquatic and Recreation Center failed with capturing only 41% of the vote. Earlier this year, the City of Kirkland considered a scaled back ~40,000 sq ft community pool ballot measure with the support of SPLASHForward. However, a February survey showed that while a majority of Kirkland residents supported a new community pool, a super majority (> 60%) said that they didn’t support a ballot measure in ’24.
In March, the city passed a resolution suspending further exploration for a community pool ballot measure and will proceed with exploring options to turn the summer only Peter Kirk pool into a year round Learn-to-Swim facility and other options. SPLASHForward will support the City in exploring these options and will complete a report that will be a solid foundation for Kirkland’s next steps at right sizing a facility to meet community aquatic needs and continue partnership explorations with Lake Washington School District and WAVE Aquatics.
For more information on Kirkland’s ballot measure attempts and next steps, visit their website.
Questions? info@splashforward.org
Bellevue City Council Advances Master Plan to Environmental Study Phase
Parks & Community Services Director Michael Shiosaki, Parks Board Chair David Hamilton, Project Manager Pam Fehrman, and Parks Board Vice Chair Paul Clark present council.
Bellevue Airfield Park preferred master plan.
On Monday, April 3rd 2023, the Bellevue City Council unanimously supported the Parks & Community Services Board recommended master plan alternative for Bellevue Airfield Park to undergo environmental study (SEPA study).
This is huge!!
We can’t thank our Bellevue Parks & Community Service staff, Parks Board, and City Council for their ongoing support!
It’s been over 50 years since a new public aquatic center was built on the Eastside and what worked in the 70’s no longer is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of our growing and diverse community. Bellevue Airfield Park is our chance to change that so that we can create more equitable access to aquatic opportunities and make our communities safer around water for generations to come.
We have developed our early environmental sustainability vision. During the environmental study phase, we look forward to providing forums for further conversation on environmental concerns and opportunities for design excellence.
We are planning our next SPLASHForward community meeting to share more about what this next phase means and the work we are doing to be ready to enter into a capital campaign once the master plan is adopted.
Stay tuned in!
A community aquatic center has something for everyone. Putting it in a park with other park elements multiplies the indoor and outdoor benefits and synergies.
Some of our core team members and student supporters joined us at Bellevue City Hall wearing their SPLASHForward ‘Pools Are Cool’ t-shirts & blue! Grab your t-shirt here.
SPLASHForward’s Susan Pappalardo spoke to how an aquatic center builds community and bridges our diversity while offering essential life skills especially to people of color both youth and adults.
SPLASHForward student volunteer, year round competitive swimmer, water safety advocate, and lifeguard Kaylee shared her story and why an aquatic center will make our community safer, build confidence and improve the well being of our community.
“…I vividly remember a time, before I joined a swim team and when my swimming skills were weak, when I went to a pool party. As all my friends swam around me, I held onto the wall, too scared to swim out, even in the shallow 4 feet water with a lifeguard present. Even now, after spending over half my life swimming, I still remember how petrified I was at the thought of leaving that wall and drowning in the middle of the pool. At the time, I was taking swim lessons and could physically swim across the length of the pool, but what I lacked was the confidence in myself to do so.”
We appreciate all our supporters who showed up whether in person or virtually!
8:53 – Oral communications
1:52:22 – Presentation
2:25:44 – Next Steps & Council Discussion
Bellevue Parks Board Recommends a Master Plan
At the February 14th Bellevue Parks and Community Services meeting, the Board unanimously voted to recommend an updated master plan that includes our 130,000 sq ft aquatic center concept plan along with eight covered and lit pickleball courts, a picnic shelter area in the woods, playground, splash pad, full basketball court, open area for picnicking, and parking. This is a very high level scoping and will be further refined once the master plan is adopted and the design process begins. This is a big moment for moving us closer to a site for the aquatic center.
This concept plan holds the vision for the future of our region where modern facilities will be accessible for swim lessons, water play, exercise, wellness, training, and competition. A place to connect and belong. The park setting multiplies the indoor and outdoor benefits that will provide something for everyone and endless programming opportunities year-round.
Bellevue Airfield Park master plan concept 2 modified to include the picnic shelter area in the woods and a covered and lit pickleball courts. This is the recommended concept plan from the Parks Board.
At the April 3rd City Council meeting, council will add their input to the Parks Board master plan recommendation and advance the process to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) study phase.
Come join us wearing your blue or SPLASHForward shirt and be in the room!
Share your voice
Take the city’s survey so you can weigh in on the master plan concept and provide your input on park priorities.
At any time, you can share your voice of support by sending a letter to Pam Fehrman, Bellevue Parks Project Manager and the Parks Board.
Recap on the City's 3rd Community Meeting
On January 19th, just over 170 people attended the City of Bellevue’s last community workshop to gather input on master plan concepts. Feedback was recorded at the boards and a paper survey was available. The same survey will soon be on the city’s website along with information shared at the meeting. We encourage everyone to take the survey!
Full house at the January 19th Parks Community Meeting with ~170 attendees.
Master Plan Concepts
Bellevue Airfield Park master plan concept 1. Our concept plan for the new Bellevue Aquatic Center is included..
Bellevue Airfield Park master plan concept 2. Our concept plan for the new Bellevue Aquatic Center is included..
Need a refresher on our aquatic center concept plan?
In October of 2021, SPLASHForward and the City of Bellevue Parks staff presented our preferred concept plan for the new Bellevue Aquatic Center. City council approved exploring siting the concept plan at Bellevue Airfield Park.
The concept plan is a 130,000 sq ft facility with a 10 lane 50 meter competition pool, a 6 lane deep water pool, 1m and 3m diving boards, a 8 – 10 lane program and teaching pool, a leisure pool, wellness/therapy pool(s), and fitness/cardio/strength rooms, community meeting rooms, flexible spaces, and social spaces.
Bellevue Parks and Community Services Director Michael Shiosaki and Planning and Project Manager Pam Fehrman present the master plan update of Bellevue Airfield Park to City Council on December 5th.
9:06 – Oral communications
1:44 – Presentation
2:03.40 – Council feedback
Bellevue City Council Meeting Dec 5th
Bellevue City Council continues to voice strong support for an aquatic center located at Bellevue Airfield Park. Parks staff presented an update on the master plan alternatives, community feedback heard to date, and asked for council feedback prior to developing a preferred master plan alternative with the Parks Board early next year.
Check out the three master plan alternatives. One is the slightly updated 2012 master plan and the other two include the aquatic center.
Learn more…
Following community input and refinement of the master plan, Parks Board will make a preferred plan recommendation to council who then can direct the next phase. The State Environmental Protection Act Study (SEPA) would follow prior to the council taking action to adopt a new master plan for Bellevue Airfield Park.
This 2023 timeline was shared by Parks staff to City Council on December 5th.
SPLASHForward’s Susan Pappalardo and community member Alice Wang gave oral communications voicing support for the aquatic center. Not pictured is Mark Feeney, the Aquatics Director for Samena Swim and Recreation Club who also gave oral communications. Thank you to Alice & Mark!
Alice sharing her family’s story and why an aquatic center will benefit so many.
“…alotof families that I know cannot afford the expensive private club dues and can only miss out on the aquatic sports.”
SPLASHForward Community Meeting
On Sept 29th, we held our first in person community meeting since the pandemic and it was so great to connect with our community!
We recapped the recent city led Bellevue Airfield Park community meeting and held breakout sessions where we shared in deeper discussion on the aquatic center at the park.
Check out our meeting slides to see the master plan alternative options the city presented and an update on the project.
We are collecting your input on how you see yourself using the new Bellevue Aquatic Center at Airfield Park, so be sure to take our survey below. Thank you!
Next Steps
The city Parks staff presented an update to the Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board on October 11th and the Parks Board made it clear that they will only recommend a master plan that includes an aquatic center.
The same presentation was given to City Council on December 5th. Next will be a third community meeting that will present updated master plan alternatives based on both Parks Board and City Council input. Watch for this meeting in January 2023. This is the meeting to attend! We need our supporters and aquatic community to show support and provide input.
We will keep you updated here, on social media and via our newsletter!
Alternative 1 shared at the city’s Community Meeting, September 22nd, 2022. Learn more in our meeting slides.
Alternative 2 shared at the city’s Community Meeting, September 22nd, 2022. Learn more in our meeting slides.
Take Our Survey!
Add your voice and share with us how you envision using the new Bellevue Aquatic Center!
Please share this with a friend!
Thank you!
Discussion around Alternative #2 at the City’s Community Meeting, September 22nd, 2022
The City's Second Community Meeting
There was a healthy turnout at the Sept 22nd community meeting that was the city’s next step of the process to update the master plan for Bellevue Airfield Park and put a pool in the plan!
Draft plan options were shared that included an aquatic center and attendees participated in a healthy discussions on priorities.
Watch the city’s website for a recap of this meeting, another survey, and the next community meeting date.
SPLASHForward Community Meeting
Watch our community meeting that was held a week after the City of Bellevue’s first community meeting for the Master Plan Update for Bellevue Airfield Park. Learn what was covered, community feedback heard, and next steps.
SPLASHForward Community Meeting, August 2nd, 2022
Parks Levy Ballot Measure
Nov 8th, 2022
The City of Bellevue has approved a Parks Ballot Measure for this November’s ballot. The funding would increase investments in Bellevue’s parks and open space system. Including $10 million in funding for new recreation and community facilities like an aquatic center and cross cultural center.
Master Plan Update for Bellevue Airfield Park as Potential Site Begins
It’s time! The City of Bellevue has begun the Master Plan Update for Bellevue Airfield Park.
We invite you to participate and share your voice in support of an aquatic center sited at the park. Please share this with your Bellevue neighbors and invite them to participate.
The first meeting will frame the history of the 2012 master plan and invites the community to share their preferences for what they want to see at the site.
If you are unable to attend the next public meeting, you may share your comments anytime with Parks staff.
A little history...
Last October, Bellevue City Council unanimously supported updating the 2012 Master Plan for Bellevue Airfield Park as the possible site for our recommended concept plan for a game changing new public aquatic center. The site has rich outdoor and indoor uses. The scenarios for this site are incredible!
It’s a Park!
On the city’s website you can see the timeline for the process which will run through fall of 2023.
SPLASHForward will be supporting the process and engaging the community to participate.
Bellevue Airfield Park 2012 Master Park Plan
Bellevue Airfield Park, 2997 160th Ave SE, 27.5 acres
If you have any questions or want to learn more on how to get involved, please contact us!
$13 Million in King County Aquatic Grants
On May 3rd, King County Council approved all 18 aquatic facility grant awards recommended by the advisory committee on which SPLASHForward sits.
This is a historic moment for our region and the momentum for new and expanded aquatic facilities. Last month, SPLASHForward had the opportunity to present the grant awards to King County Council on behalf of the Parks and Open Space and Aquatic Facilities advisory committee which was a complete honor. You can listen in on the presentation here.
Several local pools received either planning or capital improvement grants. The City of Bellevue was awarded a $100,000 planning grant. Si View Metropolitan Park District received the largest capital grant at $4million for the construction of Si View Aquatic Center which looks to be the next new aquatic center in King County!
improvements and planning grants
Local Facility Grantees
Colman Pool
Hazen High School Pool
These are a few local facilities that were awarded King County capital grants to improve aging systems and infrastructure. Accessibility and user experience improvements will also be made that will make these facilities more accessible.
Juanita High School Pool
Most recent milestone
Bellevue City Council Unanimously Supports
Last October, Bellevue City Council unanimously supported our joint Bellevue Parks and Community Service and SPLASHForward recommendation for our preferred aquatic facility concept plan, a master plan update for Bellevue Airfield Park to include the proposed aquatic center, and formal partnership with SplashForward. See below for links to the meeting replay and documents
It’s never too late to share your voice of support for a new public aquatic facility in Bellevue and for SPLASHForward‘s continued advocacy.
October 18th, 2021 Bellevue City Council Meeting Materials
Watch a replay of the council meeting.
- Oral Communications @ 2:00 min
- Presentation and council discussion @ 3:27 h
The following documents were presented to Council.
See the Recommended Concept Plan Summary at the end of the plan document for details on the aquatic center components.
A Momentum Building Donation by Amazon
SPLASHForward is pleased to announce that in June of 2021 Amazon donated $100,000 to support our development costs. We are incredibly grateful for Amazon’s support and look forward to using this momentum building moment to take our next big steps with the City of Bellevue.
“A world class public aquatics center in Bellevue will greatly contribute to making our city the place you want to be. We are a city surrounded by water and learning to swim should be accessible to our community for generations to come. The six recent drowning deaths demonstrate how incredibly important water safety is to everyone. SPLASHForward has been instrumental in shaping the vision and working with the City. Bellevue appreciates Amazon’s support of this critical project. They have been a great partner in making our City better.”
Jennifer Robertson, Bellevue City Council Member
Photo by LumiLux Productions
Celebrating Tim and Joanie Adkisson
SPLASHForward received a generous donation from longtime Bellevue resident Tim Adkisson in loving memory of his wife Joan (Andrews) Adkisson, known as Joanie to friends. Tim hopes his donation will inspire others to support SPLASHForward’s mission to realize new pools on the Eastside.
Our SPLASHForward & ISG Feasibility and Analysis Report
We are proud to share our deep dive analysis and study into our local aquatics needs and opportunities to propose a ‘right-sized’ sustainable aquatics facility in Bellevue. Representing just over two years of in-depth study of existing aquatics facilities and stakeholder input and needs to develop preferred design options, aquatics programming, operations, and financial modeling. Our report is forward thinking, leading the way with identified next steps.
Note: Our report is rather comprehensive, so you’ll want to grab a seat
You can also view our report by section below
Did you miss our last Community Meeting?
Community Webinar Video
Watch our Oct 27th webinar to hear our project status, get a high level look at our report and hear next steps. We'd be happy to answer your questions.
Community Meeting Slides
View the slides that we presented at our Oct 27th Community Meeting. We'd be happy to answer your questions.
Bellevue City Council Approves Forward Momentum in August 2020
SPLASHForward authored a Best In Class summary of national regional scale facilities that is included in the addendum of the Regional Aquatics Report.
August 2020 - Bellevue City Council Direction
On Aug 3rd, City Council gave unanimous support directing City Parks staff to continue forward with the following:
- Site selection refinement – They ruled out two of the four sites in the Study with a preference for Bellevue College, Airfield Park or other site locations not yet identified.
- Further refinement of design concepts – Of the 3 design concepts presented in the feasibility study, they gave preference for Option 2, 3 and SPLASHForward‘s Preferred Concept (See Aquatic Center Feasibilty Study and SPLASHForward‘s design option comparison).
- Usage of the remaining feasibility study budget (approx $20K) as needed and to bring forward a
budget proposal for concept and design studies as well as funding structure options for
the Council’s consideration as part of the 2020 budget process
SPLASHForward's Role
Does this mean the City of Bellevue will build an aquatics facility?
More Information on Aquatics Reports
Most frequent questions and answers
What is the Bellevue Aquatic Center Feasibility Study Update ?
The Bellevue Aquatic Center Feasibility Study Update is an update to the 2009 Bellevue Aquatic Center Study. The study update’s goal is to give City Council updated information to assist with determining whether to proceed with a new aquatic center. The study update includes project scale, scope, estimated capital and operating costs, site analysis, financing and operational options.
What is the Regional Aquatics Study ?
The Regional Aquatics Study was facilitated by King County with Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland Parks and Community Services to explore the pros and cons of both a regional and local approach to developing new public aquatic centers on the Eastside. The report includes exploration of best practices in aquatics facilities (provided by SPLASHForward), site considerations, financing methods, capital cost modeling. All with the goal to help City Councils from all three cities to decide if regional discussions should continue. At this date, both Kirkland and Redmond City Councils have agreed to proceed with regional discussions. Next steps are TBD.
When was the Bellevue Aquatic Center Feasibility Study conducted ?
In May of 2018, Bellevue City Council approved $250,000 to allow the City to proceed with a feasibility study update. In November of 2018, Council authorized ARC Architects to update the 2009 Aquatics Feasibility Study. In January of 2019, ARC Architects in coordination with Parks and Community Services commenced on the feasibility study update. Council has received two prior updates on the feasibility study, once in April of 2019 and again in October of 2019. SplashForward has participated in the study update as a stakeholder since January 2019.
When was the Regional Aquatics Report written ?
Efforts started in 2016 to discuss a regional approach to providing new public aquatic centers on the Eastside. In June of 2018, Parametrix was hired in 2019 by King County to author a report outlining the pro’s and con’s of both regional and local approaches to developing aquatics facilities leveraging the previous aquatic facility explorations done by all three cities. The report was completed in October of 2019. It has been shared with both Kirkland and Redmond City Councils in February of 2019. Bellevue will be reviewing it in August along with the Bellevue Aquatic Center Feasibility Update.
What is the SPLASHForward Feasibility Study, Aquatics Analysis and Report ?
SPLASHForward‘s Feasibility Study, Aquatic Analysis and Report is an in-depth local and regional look at the current and future aquatics needs and opportunities for the community. The report is an independent study to both the City and Regional aquatics reports, though, SPLASHForward has regularly shared findings and analysis with the Bellevue City Parks staff and the Regional Aquatics Group. The analysis and report include broad stakeholder input to form preferred design options, program, management and financial modeling that include an event and economic impact assessment and early partnership model development.
When was SPLASHForward's report written ?
In January of 2019, Isaac Sports Group (ISG) was retained by SPLASHForward to conduct a feasibility and a regional aquatic analysis. SPLASHForward and ISG’s work span over two and a half years of in-depth stakeholder engagement, local and national aquatics facility research, early partnership development and coordination with the City of Bellevue, King County, and the Regional Aquatics Group on shared aquatics analysis. SPLASHForward‘s report will be completed this summer and a comprehensive review with the community will follow.
archives
Past Newsletters
- 2023 - January 19th Bellevue Airfield Park Community Meeting #3
- End of Year Campaign Gratitude & Recap
- End of Year Campaign Final Days & Sneak Peek Vision Video
- End of Year Campaign Announcement
- Giving Tuesday 2022 - Day After
- Giving Tuesday 2022
- 2022 Gratitude for Your Support
- October Happenings
- SPLASHForward Community Meeting & Bellevue Airfield Park #2 Recap
- Second Bellevue Parks Community Meeting for Bellevue Airfield Park
- SPLASHForward Community Meeting August 2nd Slides & Recap
- SPLASHForward Community Meeting August 2nd
- Bellevue Airfield Park Community Meeting
- GiveBIG 2022 Thank You
- GiveBIG 2022 Day 2
- GiveBIG 2022 Day 1
- GiveBIG 2022 Announcement
- April Update
- Happy Valentine's Day
- End of Year 2021 Recap
- Giving Tuesday Thank You & Recap
- Giving Tuesday November 30, 2021
- Giving Tuesday Announcement
- City Council Meeting Success
- City Council Meeting October 18, 2021
- Fall Update - October 2021
- Amazon Supports SplashForward - July 2021
- GiveBIG 2021 Recap & Update - June 2021
- GiveBIG 2021 Build Momentum - May 2021
- GiveBIG 2021 Announcement - Late April 2021
- 2021 Initiatives & News - April 2021
- End of Year 2020 - Happy Holidays - December 2020
- Thankful for You - November 2020
- SPLASHForward Report and Community Meeting - October 2020
- Bellevue Council Approves Moving Forward - August 2020
- Bellevue Council Reviews Aquatics & Call to Action - August 2020
- July 2020 Update
- Opening WA Pools & Petition
- Give BIG Thank You
- GiveBIG Building Community Through Aquatics
- GiveBIG 2020 Announcement
- COVID-19 Community Update
- Kirkland City Council First to Review Regional Aquatics Report
- 2019 Year in Review
Follow us in the news...
Bellevue, King County working to find a solution to lack of Eastside Pools, Bellevue Reporter, Feb 2018
SPLASHForward increases student lifeguard training amidst national shortage, Bellevue Reporter, July 2022
SPLASHForward Meets Lifeguard Shortage, 425 Magazine, July 2022
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