Invest in our pool for the next generation

I’m voting yes on Proposition 1 to provide critical upgrades to the Bainbridge Aquatic Center.After 54 years of serving thousands of Bainbridge Islanders, the Center has been declared “at the end of its useful life.” The Center’s building and mechanical systems must be upgraded or risk failure.A new Aquatic Center could cost $50 million. This bond keeps the Center going for much less.In addition to renovating the building, mechanical, and safety systems, the Center’s Ray pool will be expanded by 30% and reconfigured to a depth of six and a half feet, adding needed capacity for our growing community. The Center was last expanded when the population of Bainbridge Island was half what it is now. In a city literally surrounded by water, nearly 1000 kids were on waitlists for swim lessons last year. We can do better.The Aquatics Center is one of our Island’s gems, and the rare recreational facility available year-round, in any weather. With our support, it will continue to serve Island residents for the next fifty years.I’m not on any of the teams that use the Aquatic Center. I’m just a retired firefighter who swims laps so my back doesn’t lock up. But I appreciate the residents who in 1970 built a pool that served generations to follow.I hope you’ll join me and vote yes on August 6th to keep our Aquatics Center going strong for the next generations of Bainbridge Island residents. Jim Boulgarides, Bainbridge Island

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Invest in our pool for the next generation