SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6566

As of January 30, 2004

Title: An act relating to an intercollegiate and community swim facility.

Brief Description: Making appropriations for an intercollegiate and community swim facility.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles, Carlson, Shin and Horn.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/2/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff: Heather Lewis-Lechner (786-7448)

Background: Olympic-size swimming pools are 50-meter pools. Currently, the Western Washington region has three such public pools. Two of these are outdoor pools and are not open year-round; one is the saltwater Colman Pool in West Seattle and the other is in Tacoma. The only indoor 50-meter pool is located at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The King County Aquatic Center also contains a diving well. The Bellevue Athletic Club also has a 50-meter pool but it is a private club. Eastern Washington has five 50-meter pools. These pools are located in Wenatchee, Tri-Cities and Moses Lake.

The swimming pool located at the University of Washington has six lanes and is 25 yards long and contains no diving well. The pool was built in 1937.

Summary of Bill: Ten million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2005, from the state building construction account to the University of Washington as matching funds for the construction of a collegiate and community swim facility. It is the intent of the Legislature that the swim facility accommodate intercollegiate swim and dive competitions, support university intramural and recreational activities of students, faculty and staff and accommodate community use.

Appropriation: $10 million, or as much thereof as may be necessary.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2004

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.