Where did you swim when you were young? I lived in the Midwest and my answer is the community pool. My pool was called Thornton Park and I loved it … and it’s connected to my vision for a regional pool in Snoqualmie Valley.

Our children and families are interconnected in our community through schools, churches, summer camps, soccer, baseball and dance classes.

The populations of Snoqualmie and North Bend are united in an awesome way. Our integrated communities deserve a regional aquatic facility. We need to encourage our community leaders to come together on the recreational front.

Several years ago, I learned from a commendable group of parents who collaborated against a sex offender facility in our Valley that we, Snoqualmie Valley, have more children younger than the age of 5 than any other community in all of King County. Just look at Cascade View Elementary School – a brand new school which is already full.

At Si View Community Center, I have watched King County move out and the Si View Metropolitan Park District form and grow. Our park board is made up of educated community-minded people who support the idea of a regional aquatic facility.

They are not alone. A regional task force was created to explore options in our valley. Jesse Richardson, director of Si View Metropolitan Park District, attended the Snoqualmie City Council meeting in August representing this task force.

It’s important that the public is knowledgeable about this task force because they have committed time and energy exploring our recreational needs. It is made up of members from both North Bend and the city of Snoqualmie. I was delighted to learn of this task force and that it has equal representation from the two cities that make up the upper Snoqualmie Valley.

Let’s continue the forward-thinking that is needed to create a regional aquatic facility that meets the needs of Snoqualmie Valley. Our growing community deserves it.

Anne Melgaard

North Bend