FLIP has a new Facebook Page!
Friends of Lopez Island Pool has a new Facebook page! Find us at www.facebook.com/LOPEZFLIP
–by Micki Ryan
Join the Seattle Foundation Campaign to Support FLIP
The Seattle Foundation’s campaign helps to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations who make our region a stronger, more vibrant community for all.
Board Picnic on Pool Property – May 2014
May 22, 2014 Board Picnic on Pool Property, inviting new ideas and possibilities.
Present were Linda Barton, President; Robin Bergstrom, VP; Lori Taylor, Treasurer; Micki Ryan, Secretary; guests Asha Lela, Paul Henricksen, Larry Eppenbach, Sarah Eppenbach, Bill Clemens.
Scenes from Lopez Kids Will Swim, May 28 2014
FLIP Swim Days Opportunity
Hi, Swimmers,
Please see the poster (below) for information regarding our Lopez Swim Days in May. This is our third annual trip for the Lopez Elementary School children to the Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes.
We know how important it is for children to be “water safe” and these trips do a lot to mature their skills for safety and enjoyment of the water. If you would like to go along on this fun trip, you have two options:
- Ride the bus with the kids, bowl and swim with them. Schedule is attached. (Please bring your own sack lunch).
- Take your own car and MEET us at Fidalgo Pool for the 1:00-3:00PM Swim.
For your information, there is reduced price lap swim from noon until our Lopez School time at 1:00PM. Perfect for getting in your own swim!! There is NO cost to you for the day unless you go early to swim.
For those of us who have been before, it is fulfilling and worthwhile as well as fun!! The children are SO enthusiastic and appreciative.
Any questions? Call Robin Bergstrom at 468-2253.
Farmer’s Market
Summer Saturdays at the Lopez Farmer’s Market FLIP booth are always busy! Local residents and tourists alike are very supportive of FLIP’s efforts to bring an aquatic center to the island. Many purchase FLIP t-shirts and donate money to help in the drive to pay for the center.
All of the varied groups that would use the pool visit the FLIP booth: seniors, children, local and visiting athletes, EMT personnel, kayakers looking to hone their safety skills, and everyone who loves to swim. The wonderful display answers many questions and encourages ideas from people who would benefit from an aquatic center.
The Lopez community’s support for the aquatic center is strong and positive.
Lopez School Swim Trips
Beginning in May, 2012, FLIP started a tradition of taking the Lopez elementary school kids to Fidalgo Pool for a day of swimming. Kids who don’t normally get the chance to swim love the opportunity – but this event most importantly shows the need for our Lopez kids to be safe in the water. Most children are not able to pass the swim test and need to stay in life vests in the shallow water. It is so important to touch the lives of our kids with a fun day – but most important is the need to teach our kids to swim!
Lopez School Trip 2012
In May, 2012, FLIP started a tradition of taking the Lopez elementary school kids to Fidalgo Pool for a day of swimming. Kids who don’t normally get the chance to swim love the opportunity – but this event most importantly shows the need for our Lopez kids to be safe in the water. Most children are not able to pass the swim test and need to stay in life vests in the shallow water. It is so important to touch the lives of our kids with a fun day – but most important is the need to teach our kids to swim!
Friends of Lopez Island Pool: What are they up to NOW?
May 13, 2011
It has been three years since FLIP incorporated as a non-profit organization, revitalizing community pool interest going back 15 years. With each step toward building an aquatic center for Lopez we have offered a swim-related fun program for the community.
This summer we are collaborating with the Lopez Family Resource Center to offer “Wetsuit 101” on Saturday, June 25, at the MacKaye Harbor Boat Launch, from 10 AM to 1 PM. The one-day “Get Acquainted with Wetsuits” workshop is open to those over 18, and is limited to six participants. A limited number of wetsuits are provided, and wetsuits may also be purchased from Anacortes Dive Shop and BARE™ Wetsuits at a one-time class discount. Registration is $40 through LFRC, 468-4117.
More fun is ahead each Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend as “Swim the Salish Sea” continues through FLIP’s 468 Club fundraisers. A combination of fun- and fund-raising, we invite open-water swimmers to collect sponsors on a flexible scale, depending on their swim level. Last year, swimmers of the Salish Sea raised $3000 toward pool construction by swimming the equivalent of twice around Lopez Island! Lori Taylor, founding FLIP Board member added, “We never want to lose sight of what we are doing for Lopez. It is important to have FUN in the water!” 468 Club sponsor and swimmer information is on FLIP’s website, www.lopezislandpool.org.
There will be a new emphasis over the next year to get others to swim with special projects, such as Wetsuit 101, a day at Fidalgo Pool for kids and parents, and Swim the Salish Sea. While grant funding will assist this year in getting Lopezeans in the water, FLIP will never lose sight of their final goal, an indoor pool accessible year round for all. Robin Bergstrom says it clearly: “We will continue to chip away at the funding iceberg, focusing in this third phase on funding the land survey, institutional septic design, and Class A water system design.”
Most recent of FLIP’s accomplishments is the establishment of a legacy gift campaign, which has so far provided $1 million for future maintenance and operation costs, relieving worries that this small community will not be able to afford the ongoing costs of pool operation. FLIP President Linda Barton explained the current funding situation in her own creative style: “We are like a sandwich. We have the bread on one side being the donated land, architectural design, zoning and county permits. The other slice of bread is the legacy fund set up for maintaining the pool in the future. Now we just need the middle. Which– depending on how you look at it is a veggie burger with lettuce or a tuna with tomato.” FLIP would be happy with either sandwich.
Linda continued, “FLIP is profoundly aware of the unusual position it is in during these economic times. It is stunning to meet with FLIP advocates and see they are still optimistic, good humored, creative and passionate about the project. It is clear FLIP will always have fun, and one day a pool!”
FLIP challenge grant now extended to July 4
Posted in The Islands Weekly
Jun 06, 2010
Lopez will swim. That day draws closer as the challenge grant of $5,000 offered to Friends of Lopez Island
Pool (FLIP) was met with $4,600 in island donations by the original June 1 deadline. The board extends its
gratitude to the residents of Lopez.
Linda Barton, FLIP president, announced “The anonymous Family Foundation offered to extend the challenge
deadline to July 4, assuring that FLIP will receive the full $5,000 offered as a dollar-for-dollar match to local
donations.”
Funds raised through the challenge grant will complete payments on all designs and fees to date, so that FLIP
will begin its capital campaign for pool construction with a clean slate.
“Construction funding is anticipated from large regional foundations as well as individual donors,” explained Micki Ryan, FLIP grant writer, “and from private foundations who support specific pool users, such as senior water exercise, swim safety, EMT rescue, physical therapy, and physical education. As we seek funding, we will be asking community groups who hope to use the pool for letters of advocacy to show to our potential major funders.”
“We’re aware of objections to a special tax district,” added Robin Bergstrom, who has been continuously active in shepherding the pool plans through the county zoning and permitting process.
“FLIP continues to search for ways to fund the community pool without resorting to county ownership with property tax increases. User fees will be an important component of operations income once the pool is built, but even that must be supplemented by grant and bequest income.”
Forums will continue to be held in the community to get additional feedback on community needs. Look for the FLIP fishhead at the Lopez Farmers Market to get updates and view the location map and plans. Also to purchase $5 raffle tickets for two nights at the Aleck Bay Inn or a chocolate cake from Holly B.
Raffle drawing is July 4 at the Lopez Farmers Market.
Donations can be made online by credit card at www.lopezislandpool.org www, or mailed to FLIP, PO Box 453, Lopez Island WA 98261.
Robin Bergstrom wearing the FLIP fishhead in the 2008 Fourth of July Parade.
Mike Bergstrom photo
