BILL REQ. #:  S-3810.1 

Read first time 01/23/2004.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to an intercollegiate and community swim facility; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there has been a significant increase in the demand for adequate swimming facilities and that the state presently has insufficient facilities to meet the needs of our residents. Aquatics programs offer opportunities for a significant number of Washington residents of all ages. Whether the aquatics activities are instructional swimming, rehabilitation therapy, aqua aerobics, recreation, diving, SCUBA, wellness programs, swimming camps, or athletic competition, the events are equally available for both men and women.
     Popularity of competitive swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming as Olympic events have encouraged many of our young athletes to pursue swimming activities. Several of our young athletes from the Puget Sound region have qualified for the Olympic trials including Megan Quann, Dana and Tara Kirk, and Emily and Helen Silver. Athletes like Shawn Sussex also have an excellent future for Olympic involvement. Through swimming, these athletes have become outstanding role models who have shown other young people that swimming can provide positive experiences and lifetime values.
     The development of a combined intercollegiate and community swim facility at the University of Washington will provide a significant benefit to the state through a public and private partnership in the tradition of the Northwest commitment to our citizens, our youth, and the athletic community.
     It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature to support a swim facility with the capacity to accommodate intercollegiate swim and dive competitions, including springboard and platform diving. The facility shall also support university intramural and recreational activities by students, faculty, and staff. Community use shall also be accommodated and scheduled for local competitive swim teams, swim lessons, swim camps, Special Olympics, and high school competitions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The sum of 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. The amount provided in this section shall be matched by an equal amount from combined donations of institutional, student, and private donations.