What do we do about Moana Pool?

[pi]

What do we do about Moana Pool?

[Ryan Jerz]

I hope it gets fixed. We've spent several parties and swimming days there, and it's the closest pool to our house. Jim_S posted twice about it:

http://renowire.blogspot.com/2007/11/vote-to-fix-pool.html

and

http://renowire.blogspot.com/2007/11/good-news.html

I agree that more pools spread throughout the area is a better situation than one larger pool complex. I like Idlewild for outdoor swimming, but the 50 meter pool at Moana is invaluable during the winter.

How's that for all over the place?

[Tom Clark]

Does anyone remember the R-1 for everyone campaign? It was to fund improvements not only to Moana pool but add additional aquatic and recreational venues in Reno. It died a miserable death at the ballot box. At the time the "public" said no-way. Now that it's toast maybe the "public" will miss it and resurrect such a campaign.

[carothers]

In my humble opinion...the R 1 campaign missed communicating to the "public" that not only can recreation add to our quality of life, but it can also be very profitable. I think most of the "public" believe that aquatic recreation consists of lap swimmers in the morning, grandparents doing aquasize(sp ?) in the afternoon, and swim lessons on the weekends. In reality there are hundreds of models through-out the country where aquatic based recreation centers are run with solid business plans and produce profits year round. Hyland Hills (Water World) in Denver CO. is a perfect example. Although I think the new propsed baseball stadium in downtown is an interesting idea, I'm wondering how minor league baseball adds to the quality of life in the Truckee Meadows and more importantly can it be profitable? Grand Sierra has ideas of building an indoor waterpark and many many local residents believe this will give them an opportunity to use a aquatic facility year round. The basic problem with this idea is that GSR is proposing to build their waterpark not exclusive for locals to enjoy, but to sell hotel condos. In fact, it is my opinion that the use of their aquatic facility would be very limited to the public. If I'm the city of Reno I look to show the public that recreation can be profitable and aquatic recreation specifically can add to our quality of life. Then maybe we could have a aquatic facility that Reno would be proud of.

[~M~]

Volunteer with the Parks Dept to find, research and write grants... stick flyers in your neighbors mailboxes to rally the troops... have high dollar & what-you-can-spare potluck fundraisers in the space... take it on as your issue and make it happen. I would come with my family and throw in a few bucks.

I agree that an aqua center and not just a pool should be rebuilt inthe space... its big has lots of area for parking and in my humble opinion could be a kick a$$ place for an Olympic size pool for area swim meets and more of the kayakers coudl fit and roll around to practice, there's a lot of cool stuff that I've heard people mentioning around town.

[Rob Woods]

I miss Moana Pool. I used to practice kayaking during the pool's roll sessions. I agree with most other comments. The city should build an actual indoor olympic size pool. For a city the size of Reno, it's a shame we don't have one.

[Elisa Maser]

As I recall, the Moana Aquatic Complex portion of the R-1 ballot question was about $15 million. It actually included a total re-do of the pool, stadium and ball fields and it would have been phenomenal.

I worked on R-1 ... and for the budget we had (minimal), I think we did a pretty decent job getting the word out. But what can one do when the voters say no? Even if it could be profitable in the long run, they still have to pay to build it.

Unless we can get a venture philanthropy thing going here. Does Dave LaPlante know of a few extra $$$ angels who'd invest?