GOT POOL? NOT YET!

WHAT’S THE STORY ON A POOL FOR LOPEZ?

In 2013, the Friends of Lopez Island Pool hired Capital Campaign Planning Consultant Brent Hafele to prepare a funding feasibility study from interviews with islanders familiar with guiding large community projects.  The results of this study were emphatic: everyone on Lopez would like a pool to swim in, but everyone also felt the funding climate on Lopez has stalled due to slow economic recovery and other local factors urging potential donors to be cautious.

Since 2008, FLIP has worked steadily on completing the background work for a year-round pool facility, depending on the generosity and enthusiasm of Lopez Islanders.  Because of you we now have a substantial audience of supporters, donated Center Road property, architectural and technical plans, indoor and outdoor pool zoning, water, legacy gifts for a facility maintenance endowment, and a nearly completed checklist of behind-the scenes pre-construction tasks.

We are poised to launch into construction planning and action, phase 4 of our 5-phase plan, when the funding climate improves. What’s phase 5? SWIM!

FLIP has now entered a “quiet period” of project fundraising.  Entering a quiet period means that rather than continuing to seek funds specifically for construction at this time, we will focus on pre-construction tasks and our all-important learn-to-swim programs for the island’s children.

We will continue to develop the building site by completing affordable pre-construction tasks while we remain watchful for solid economic recovery. We will definitely continue program activities by providing water safety and swimming experiences for island children. Every dollar your give all year long supports FLIP’s swim education programs toward our goal to see that every person on Lopez feels safe in the water.

Please visit our website, www.lopezislandpool.org for the latest information.