by Lisa DiGiorgio | Feb 1, 2018 | News
On January 23rd, FLIP’s Finance Lead, Bill LeDrew, and Government Lead, Asha Lela, made a presentation to the San Juan County Council. They explained to Council members, Jamie Stevens, Bill Watson and Rick Hughes, the importance of the County having a stake in the Swim Center in order for FLIP to receive further State funding. Senator Ranker is submitting a request for significant funding in the State supplemental budget this year. The State has declared that they will need to see San Juan County government invested in the Swim Center project before awarding significant capital.
Jamie Stephens emphasized that this is “one of the projects that is unusual in that the land and maintenance funds are already set aside, now just needing more funding for the capital.” There was a productive discussion regarding the possibilities for County investment in the swim center project. Rick Hughes shared some interesting options to consider. Council members voted YES to proceed with finding a way to become invested in this capital project. Subsequent to the meeting, Bill Watson recommended that the Swim Center be written into the Economic Development Element of the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan. Jane Fuller, FLIP’s Fundraising Chair, is working with Victoria Compton to make this happen. In addition, this enables FLIP to put an application in to the Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program.
As you can see, the FLIP Board and volunteers are working hard behind the scenes for a Swim Center for all residents and visitors of San Juan County. Lots of work is happening at all levels. Please join us in this effort by sending a donation today!
We see every child in San Juan county graduating from high school knowing how to swim. We see every family enjoying the opportunity to grow strong together in spirit, mind and body. We see every senior having local access to low-impact exercise and aqua therapy. We see a healthy community with an improved quality of life!
editing by Carolyn McGown
Communications Team volunteer
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Jan 10, 2018 | News
Did you know that only 2 counties in the whole State of Washington do not have a public pool, and that San Juan County is one of those?
Did you know that 91% of our Lopez elementary students could not pass a Red Cross swim competency test putting them at a significantly higher risk of drowning. The Red Cross considers the national average of competency at 39% to be a crisis. On Lopez the average is less than 9%.
Lopez has only one public lake and it is too dangerous to swim in because of thick weeds. As we all know we have had recent drownings there. Our island children are not learning how to swim because there is no safe place to learn life lasting skills.
Did you know that the longer we can remain physically active as we age, the longer we will live enjoyable and productive lives? For those whose body can no longer tolerate high impact exercise, there are few options.
And yes, I am sure you know that water supported rehabilitation and therapy for injuries and chronic pain must be done off island.
A local public swim center will help solve all these problems and more. It will be a place for regular water exercise, for community connection with others, for lessons and recreation, for rehabilitation, a warm and healthy place to be inside during the rain and cold, and for fun!
The facility includes a 4 lane, 25 yard main pool and a warm shallow entry learn-to-swim and therapy pool – both with salt water, a bath house with lockers, a lobby area and a small meeting/party room. The pool can be built in two phases depending on funding— the first phase would be uncovered and the second enclosed. The covered pool will have natural daylighting through the KalWall roof as well as a bank of opening doors on one side. It will be a state of the art, permanent structure that will last many, many years.
As you know the gifted pool land is in the center of the island just off Center Road and will as well be accessible from the school through an off road trail.
The swim center will be operated by the non-profit, 501c3 Friends of Lopez Island Pool. It will be a public pool open to all, including residents from throughout the county and of course to tourists. There will be many fee options to ensure that the pool will be affordable and sustainable as well as inclusive of all users.
The FLIP Board has received a generous legacy gift of $510,250 for a maintenance reserve fund. In order to ensure sustainability of the pool this fund will provide a back up for any unforeseen repairs or emergency demands.
There has been a lot of momentum in 2017. The Board of Directors has engaged local architects, appointed new members to the Board, finished county permits for the land, widened Pool Lane to the required two lanes, partnered with local social services non-profits, held steady presence at the County’s Farmer Markets, consulted with fund raising professionals, reached out to state and county legislators, taken legal possession of the land, redesigned the bath house. In-kind donations have been received for many of these tasks.
FLIP is now at a critical stage. In order to have the pool up and running by the Summer of 2019 we need to have substantial funds in place by fall 2018. Myrtha Pools, an international company, will begin construction of our pools in the winter months. These state of art pools will then be brought to us via the ferry 9 months after ordered. These are stainless steel pools with integrated plumping, vinyl surface and with soft flooring. These pools require much less maintenance, are easy to install, are salt water tolerant, and beautiful to swim in. The bath house will be locally constructed with great attention to being user friendly.
So we are asking you in the community to be especially generous this year in helping all this to happen. It is a BIG project and a great opportunity. The Board is pursuing grants, county and state help but the main portion of funds need to come from the community. We have raised to date, 1.2 million dollars towards the estimated $5 million project cost. We have received a $500,000 challenge gift, so your dollars will be matched and doubled in worth. This is all a stretch for everyone— but the results will be a swim center that will serve us years into the future- bringing greater health, water safety and community to the people of San Juan County
We know that that FLIP has over 1000 supporters in the community. Thank you very much. NOW, let’s make a splash and change lives and build a swim center that will be a long-lasting positive change, improving lives for generations. Together we can do it.
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Dec 28, 2017 | News
Happy Holidays to each of you! A BIG thank you to our wonderful supporters who have responded to our year end mailer with generous donations! Be sure to check out this week’s newspaper article in the Islands’ Weekly which outlines many of the problems our community currently faces…and the solutions that a community swim center will provide!
The article also outlines the superb progress made in 2017, only some of which is visible as you drive by Pool Lane! The FLIP Board, the Advisory Group, the project architects and general contractor continue to work hard behind the scenes to ensure that the “GO” button can be hit, the moment our funding goals are reached!
To meet the goal of opening the swim center in summer of 2019, we must have funds in hand in early 2018 to pay some of our vendors before they will contract with us.
Please consider a gift at this critical time. When we all give meaningfully, we will continue to accomplish things other communities only dream about.
Thanks to you…Lopez will swim!
With deep appreciation from the Friends of Lopez Island Pool (FLIP)
Robin Bergstrom, President
Editing by Carolyn McGown
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Dec 11, 2017 | News
Have you received your FLIP Year in Review 2017? As you can tell it has been a busy year with lots of tangible progress. Thanks to your ongoing support FLIP has raised over $1.7 million!! We are continuing to work toward a swim center that will meet the community’s needs and wants while being low-maintenance and sustainable. This will be the biggest community project Lopez has ever seen and… we can’t do it without your support.
Great news! 100% of your gift will be matched by a generous donor. Please make a donation today to improve the health, safety and recreational opportunities of tomorrow.
Have you had a good year in the market? Increase the impact of your gift by donating appreciated stock to FLIP. You get the tax deduction and FLIP gets to keep the full value of the stock.
Please join your community in supporting the construction of a Swim Center! A BIG thank you to those of you who have already responded to our year end appeal, generously donating cash or stock!! Let’s Swim Local!
Contact Lisa DiGiorgio, Board member, to receive the details for donating stock. ldigiorgio58@gmail.com or call 206-579-7654
Download: FLIP Stock Donation Form FINAL 2017
Bringing greater health, water safety and community to the people of San Juan County by building a swim center.
Friends of Lopez Island Pool is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
IRS Tax Exempt ID 26-2079787
Brought to you by Lisa DiGiorgio and Carolyn McGown!
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Oct 13, 2017 | News
What are the issues?
Our kids aren’t learning how to swim. The Red Cross considers the national average for youth water competency at 39% to be a crisis, on Lopez our average is 9%.
Solution: Access to affordable, local, year-round swim lessons and swim programming in schools will ensure that all kids are competent swimmers by high school graduation!
There are limited venues for seniors to exercise for 50% of the year.
Solution: Year-round, affordable water exercise will encourage seniors to stay more active during the winter. Swimming helps the agin retain mobility, improves cardiovascular health, and creates connections, all factors for successful aging.
The injured and those living with chronic pain must travel at great expense to the mainland for aquatic therapy and to exercise in comfort.
Solution: Therapists and patients will have access to our super-heated therapy pool. Aquatic therapy has been shown to decrease rehabilitation time by 30-40%.
82% of kids have insufficient physical activity per the WA State Healthy Youth Survey 2016).
Solution: A pool will promote a culture of health and will offer kids and teens a safe, fun and healthy place to go year-round.
66% of adults have insufficient physical activity (WA Behavioral Risk Factor Survey 2013-2015).
Solution: Swimming not only improves cardio health and releases endorphins, but goes further in reducing stress than most other forms of exercise because of the calming sensory experience that comes with being submerged in water.
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Sep 14, 2017 | News
Summer has come to an end and swim lesson results are in! This summer FLIP awarded a ‘Water Safety Micro-Grant’ to the Lopez Island Family Resource Center. With this partnership 27 children were able to receive scholarships for swim lessons at the Islander Resort provided by Red Cross swim instructor, Berta Vaughn. Students attended toddler, introduction to swimming and beginning swimming skills classes. Twenty students performed specific skills by the end of the week to advance to the next level. The kids learned a ton and had fun doing it!
None of this could have happened without the generosity of a large donation from the Daniel M. Browne-Sanchez Fund, part of the Hawai’i Community Foundation. A HUGE thank you to Robina Browne, a part-time Lopez invested resident, for setting this up!
FLIP’s Water Safety Program goals are to increase the number of children who can swim. Without access to a year-round community pool, islanders and visitors do not have the opportunity to improve this important life skill! It takes practice, practice, practice to build skills, confidence and joy in the water! Last May only 1 in 10 Lopez Island elementary school students were able to pass a basic Red Cross water safety test in deep water. Let’s build a pool and get swimming in warm water! Please donate today. Your generosity will make a difference to the island community!
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Aug 9, 2017 | News
Pool Lane is under construction! As a first critical step, the road is being widened to TWO lanes! This image was taken halfway up Pool Lane, looking toward Center Rd. The backhoe is parked close to the entrance of the future pool parking lot. That white propane tank in the background has nothing to do with the Lopez Pool, but is a new business across from the firehouse. FLIP was gifted the second lot back from Center Road, extending to the tree line behind. Thank you, Bob and Lois Wardell, project architects for starting the improvements to the road to our community pool!
We could not have gotten this far without your generous commitment to the pool so THANK YOU!!! Your ongoing support will continue to make the difference. Please consider a donation today. Just scroll to the bottom of this page!
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Jul 20, 2017 | News
On July 12th FLIP seized the opportunity for an audience with State Senator Kevin Ranker and Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib at the Orcas Island Senior Center.
Asha Leela, one of three FLIP Board members in attendance, asked this question:
“We on Lopez are in the midst of a capital campaign for a year-round swim center for the health and safety of islanders. It will be the only public pool in the San Juan Islands. This will be an important asset for our rural community. How do we fit into the economic development that you want and we want for your constituents and the tourists that come?”
In their response, Senator Ranker and Lt. Governor Habib spoke of the public award for FLIP that is in the capital budget. Both are enthusiastic supporters of the pool and said we should put in additional requests for MORE money. Sen. Ranker said Orcas people will come swim on Lopez. Both were shocked to learn that this year only 9% of Lopez elementary kids passed the Red Cross water safety test compared with 39% national average. Asha told Ranker that FLIP had lots of information to share with him. He said he would like to talk with FLIP in the fall to plan for next year.
Asha also talked with County Councilman Rick Hughes, who submitted a letter in support of the pool to Olympia, with the two other County Council members earlier this year. The pool will not likely get built without some government funding, therefore, we encourage ALL FLIP supporters to write a letter or make a phone call to your elected officials in support of a community pool in the San Juan Islands! It could make a big difference!
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Jul 13, 2017 | News
FLIP is delighted to announce the hiring of Robert & Lois Wardell as construction project architects! Lois and Bob bought property on Lopez 37 years ago and have been full time Lopezians since moving from Yakima three years ago. The Wardells were the architects for our library’s Quiet Reading Room and for Morgantown, Lopez’s first Land Trust project. Previously they mainly worked on civic buildings, including a $6 million expansion of the Yakima convention center.
The Wardells are jumping right in! They’ll review cost estimates and develop a single project concept including construction and design of bathhouse, mechanical room, pools and cover. They’ll also meet with the County regarding permits as well as identify, hire and oversee the work of consultants. Luckily for FLIP, the Wardell’s vast experience qualifies them to serve as both architects and project manager. Both Lois and Bob are enthusiastic supporters of the pool and recognize the need for an accessible community pool in the islands that will provide health, recreation and improved water safety for all ages. We hope you’ll share in the excitement of this wonderful addition to our Pool Dream Team!
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Jun 13, 2017 | News
On June 1st & 2nd, FLIP sponsored its 5th annual KIDS SWIM DAYS for Lopez K-5 students at Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes. 110 students enjoyed a two-hour swim with parents, teachers and FLIP volunteers. For many students, this was their one and only opportunity for the year to swim.
To use the pool without a life jacket, the kids had to swim 25 feet. 48% of the kids were able to do this. These kids then took turns working with a Certified Water Safety Instructor in small groups, learning and demonstrating the 5 skills that define Water Competency, as outlined by the American Red Cross. Water Competency is a minimum measure of a swimmer’s ability to stay safe in deep water.
The 5 skills are:
1. Jump into water over your head from a standing position on the side of the pool.
2. Tread water or passive back float for one minute.
3. Swim in a circle, actively scanning for an exit.
4. Swim 25 yards without touching side of pool.
5. Climb out of pool without using a ladder.
The kids did a great job working with the instructor, encouraging their schoolmates and attempting the skills themselves. Ten students were able to demonstrate all five of these skills. FLIP celebrates the progress and enthusiasm of ALL the kids present.
The overall results, however, were very sobering: only 9% of 110 students present are considered Water Competent by the Red Cross. This means that 91% of these students do not possess the skills to stay safe in deep water. Obviously, this is not the fault of the children and their families since there is no swim center yet on Lopez. A pool would provide multiple opportunities for regular swim lessons and practice throughout the year to improve swimming skills. These results strongly reinforce the need for a year-round swim center on Lopez Island. Until we can swim locally, FLIP will continue to promote water safety wherever possible.
