Guest Opinion

Now is the time for an aquatic park in West Linn

By Parris Chargois

, Jul 29, 2010 (3 Reader comments)

In 1998, we passed a bond measure giving our government authority to tax $625,000 to study and purchase land for an aquatic/community center.

In 2004, voters said, once again, they still wanted a center … and were willing to pay for capital and operating costs. Now the city is studying the issue once again. With your help, this time we could finally get the project off the drawing board and moving forward!

You and I know that every citizen would benefit by having the space for community classes, exercise, activities and a positive environment for kids, families and seniors. In the old days, it might have been the grange or the fairgrounds where people of all ages met to commune. Nowadays we have larger towns, faster lifestyles and more complex needs. Plus, in the Northwest, we have about nine months of inclimate weather, so it is even more important to provide a safe place for everyone to have healthy activities. This is not a luxury …. it is a necessity.

There will be the usual nay-sayers who don’t want to pay for what they think they won’t use, but even these folks will be surprised what benefits await them. Smaller cities than West Linn have accomplished a project like this, so I know that we can make it happen. If little towns like Scappoose, Woodburn, Astoria and Sherwood can do this, why not West Linn?

We need to set aside the Parker Road property for the community/aquatic center and related activities. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a library annex adjacent to a swim park with plenty of parking? We need community gathering spaces.

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