Dear Mrs. Goodridge,

Thank you for your letter and for your continued support of expanded aquatics
facilities in Howard County. The County Executive appreciates all that you have
done and continue to do on this matter, and he has asked me to respond to you on
his behalf. As you know, these are difficult times and developing our budget for
FY2010 is a process fraught with tough decisions. As we work through this
process, the County Executive will give serious consideration to your thoughts
below. I hope that you will continue to stay involved and engaged in this
matter, and if I can ever be of additional assistance, please feel free to
contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Ian Kennedy
Assistant to the County Executive
Howard County
410-313-3075

From: RGoodri973@... [mailto:RGoodri973@...]
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 11:22 PM
To: Ken Ulman
Cc: rob.goldman@...; atz.pga@...; boe@...;
khetherington@...; councilmail@...; Gary Arthur; Peter
Beilenson
Subject: FY2010 Cap Budget/Citizens' Priorities: 50-Meter Pool

Dear Mr. Ulman:

A year ago at your first Citizens' Budget Meeting (Dec. 2007), I was the lone
voice who made a pitch for a 50-meter indoor pool in Howard County, based on
observation of need and heavy aquatics use in our county.

So much has changed since that day: more voices added to mine; a new aquatic
feasibility study; the economic climate.

So much has stayed the same: my support for a 50-meter indoor pool; still no
formal plans to move forward on a public aquatics facility.

I'd like to thank you, Mr. Arthur, and the Department of Recreation and Parks
for listening to me and other aquatics advocates, and for formalizing the focus
on public aquatics by commissioning the feasibility study. Furthermore, I'd
like to thank Mr. Arthur and the RAP Advisory Board for acknowledging that a
"need" for public aquatics exists -- as well as for publicly stating their
willingness to partner to the Columbia Association and the Revenue Authority to
explore the idea of bringing such a project to fruition. These are steps in the
right direction.

However, there is one issue in the feasibility study that I'd like to address --
that of the Opinion of Revenue for 50-meter pools. As I told Mr. Arthur and the
RAP Advisory Board in November, I did my own research with surrounding counties
on their 50-meter pools -- particularly with regard to revenue-generation and
program usage (such as # of program days for swim meet rentals, among other
metrics) and found that the report grossly understated the revenue potential of
such pools. I'd be happy to share my findings in detail, as well as my sources
(names, titles and contact info) from surrounding counties. Based on this I
suggested that the Recreation and Parks' staff do their own research and talk
directly to the staffers I spoke to, to get a more accurate portrayal of revenue
potential of these types of pools This is important so that we do not
prematurely rule out the potential of a 50-meter pool.

The aquatics director in Fairfax County said that the model facility that best
suits 50-meter pools is one that offers multiple amenities, such a golfing,
racquetball, exercise rooms, and meeting rooms. The county's aquatic consultant
agreed with this , and they suggested locating a pool nearby another
recreational facility.

I refer to this as the public "country club" model. Fairfax County's most
successful and profitable 50-meter pool (Oak Marr) adjoins a golf complex and in
addition to the 50-meter pool it also offers a sauna, spa, fitness rooms, spin
studio, racquetball courts, and meeting rooms.

Imagine partnering with the Columbia Association to bring higher utilization to
one of their golf courses or other amenities by partnering with them to
redevelop underutilized land -- creating local "destinations" for county
residents and beyond -- all the while helping CA to maintain their many
properties.

I can't think of a better way to stimulate the local economy than by modernizing
health and fitness destinations and bringing them up 21st century standards! I
think it's commendable that RAP and CA are both willing to discuss partnership
arrangements, given that each entity has resources (i.e., customer base/growth
potential; land) that the other entity lacks. It could be a true win/win.

Imagine all the other partnerships that can be fostered to turn such a vision
into a reality -- bringing aboard the Revenue Authority, HCPSS, the Health
Department, the Office of Aging, and HCC. Something for everyone -- aquatics
fitness, health, therapy, competition, education. Something that we all can
share. The long term benefits to the citizenry far outweigh the short term
costs. An investment in the citizenry.

With this in mind, I think your administration should make it a priority to show
a tangible sign of support for such a project -- even if symbolic. I
respectfully request that you consider adding a token amount of seed money to
the FY10 Capital Budget to signify a small step toward this goal: perhaps
$500,000 to start demolition or site preparation for redeveloping a parcel of
land. And not to intrude upon any existing -- and worthwhile -- program, but
if it eventually turns out that the Healthy Howard access program monies need
redirecting (Baltimore Sun article 12-11-08), then by all means redirect them
toward the FY10 budget seed monies for a public Rec Center/50-meter pool! And
the monies would even remain under the Healthy Howard umbrella, so they wouldn't
be straying too far!

Thank you for the opportunity to share my views, and for considering public
sentiment in support of aquatics (and particularly, for a 50-meter indoor pool)
in Howard County.

Regards,

Diane Goodridge
8525 High Timber Ct.
Ellicott City, MD 21043




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