Ask Ry #3: Diving into Camas's Pool Debate

Exploring Questions Around the Failed Pool Bond, Community Needs, and the Path Forward for Our Growing City

Hey there. It’s midweek and that means it’s time again for another mailbag!

Yesterday’s video sparked a healthy discussion on NextDoor, with a handful of pressing questions that deserve more attention and consideration.

So I figured it’s worth sharing below for those who might not be on the platform.

The bottom line is that we’re in this together, and I continue to be impressed by the community's ability to think critically and collectively act in its own best interests.

Let’s get into it.

Q1: Was the community pool removed before the vote on the $78M bond? What exactly did the proposal include, and did voters have a chance to vote for fixing the existing pool? Who was behind this proposal, and why was it so expensive?

Yes, the community pool was demolished and removed from Crown Park 100 days prior to the council voting to put the $78M bond on the November ballot. The 90% rejection was a response to the lack of clarity, transparency, and a feeling that the proposal did not meet the community's needs.

Sadly, voters weren’t given a clear choice to vote for simply fixing and maintaining the pool. But when they solicited input in years previous, Camasonians overwhelmingly wanted to retain the pool.

Nearly 2,000 people even signed a petition to save it.

The decision was made by the City Council, but it seems that the Planning Department may have also had a role in crafting the proposal. The reasons behind such a massively expensive proposal were multifaceted and still require further exploration.

It's an intricate and significant piece of our city's history, and understanding it fully requires digging into various layers. Interest and questions are so vital in ensuring we learn from this experience.

Q2: The voters spoke. The system worked. The old pool wasn’t viable. Why keep talking about the past? It caused us to elect a totally unqualified mayor. Any pool is a bad idea at this point. Don’t you have anything else to say? Speak of the future, not the past.

I fully understand and am aligned with the desire to focus on the future. After all, it's critical we move forward. But as the saying goes, 'those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it'. I hope we all agree it’s best we avoid a repeat.

The discussion of the old pool and the failed $78M bond isn't about revisiting old wounds. It's about understanding how those decisions were reached, what we might have done differently, and how we can ensure future decisions are made with greater transparency, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility.

You're absolutely right that the voters spoke, and the system worked in that instance. But understanding how and why can help us make even better decisions in the years to come.

Our shared history in Camas contains lessons that can guide us as we face new challenges and opportunities. Let's use those lessons to build a brighter future together, without losing sight of what brought us here.

Q3: In a society with a shrinking middle class with more and more natural water bodies increasingly polluted, how can a community pool in Camas serve as an inclusive space for all residents?

I recently came across a CNN article documenting the decline of public pools in the US. While some might use this information to argue against prioritizing the restoration of a public pool, a closer look might lead to a different conclusion.

Pools often serve as the heartbeat of a community 🏊‍♂️. They offer so much more than physical exercise—they actually dramatically improve mental health. And because they're open to the public, they're naturally more inclusive and accessible than private aquatic centers.

Moreover, our environment benefits when folks share pools. 🌎 By choosing a communal space rather than individuals building personal pools in their backyards, we're making a conscious choice for sustainability, saving water and energy.

But what resonates with me most is the vital role public pools play in teaching swimming. In a place like Camas, surrounded by bodies of water, it's arguably essential that the city takes on the responsibility of ensuring every child knows how to swim. Especially when you consider that the #1 cause of death among kids aged 1-4 is drowning.

At the right price, a pool is a bargain for a community. It doesn't have to be extravagant or overly expensive. It's about providing an service that serves everyone.

The other day, I saw a news clipping from 1954 announcing the opening of our public pool, where they offered learn-to-swim lessons. In a place like Camas, where water is an integral part of life, a public pool isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a necessity.

Q4: With Camas having grown from a population of about 5,000 when the old pool was built to now more than quintupling in size, how does this growth impact the need for public pools here?

Great point! Camas has grown significantly since the old pool was built, with our population actually sextupling (6x)! This growth translates into thousands of more families, children, and community members who could benefit from having access to a public pool.

So surely the solution for a city fast approaching 30,000 residents isn't to have ZERO pools—especially when considering the community's needs and desires.

A great place to start, in alignment with the community's stated interests, is to consider concrete ways forward for a sensible, affordable plan to restore the pool that was removed from Crown Park. This doesn't mean a one-and-done or a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather activating a thoughtful and transparent strategy that recognizes both our city's growth and the value the old pool represented.

Let's explore options for restoring the pool, respecting our evolving city's needs, and reconnecting with a tradition that served us well in the past. It's time to find a solution that truly suits Camas.

What a journey through some of the key issues that continue to shape Camas. I’m always inspired by your insights, questions, and shared determination to find solutions that work for us all.

Remember, the dialogue doesn't end here—I'm always around to listen and learn from you. Let's keep the conversation going and stay connected as we shape our city together. Feel free to share, reach out anytime, and catch you on the next one.

❤️Ry