All ages will benefit from this opportunity as students and adults alike will be able to participate in all the lifelong activities that swimming creates as well as the safety aspect in ensuring all know how to swim at an early age. As a PE teacher here on South Whidbey, I hope to integrate and promote swimming within the strong current educational program we already have. The inter-generational aspect, lifetime skills, rehabilitation facility, and countless water opportunities created by this facility will be amazing to our community!

- Eric Jokinen, South Whidbey Middle School PE specialist

By having an aquatics wellness center, the community would have access to year-round water safety programming. There are currently only a few learn-to-swim opportunities in our community and most are limited by the season (summer) and are mainly for children. As a community surrounded by water, we need more opportunities for all of our residents to increase their safety skills from how to swim to how to help someone who is in danger of drowning.

- Krista Loercher, owner Whidbey Island Kayaking

An aquatics facility would offer health and wellness opportunities for our residents, create a sense of place, and have a positive impact on the economy. An aquatics center would create a place of recreation and increase sense of community. It would benefit the economy directly and indirectly by providing jobs and adding a valuable asset to the community.

- Sharon Sappington, Executive Director Economic Development Council for Island County

As our nation and island have faced a global pandemic, our beautiful parks have become a life saver for many families. We all benefit from access to outstanding parks and outdoor spaces, and an aquatics center would add a much needed avenue of recreation, exercise, and wellness for people of all ages. It would be a vital asset to a healthy, thriving community.

- Karen S. Leitz, owner and physical therapist Whidbey Performance Physical Therapy