HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-22 Public Comment - M. Belacso - Public Comment for City Commission meeting 10_18_22From:Megan Belasco
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment for City Commission meeting 10/18/22
Date:Tuesday, October 18, 2022 2:09:49 PM
Attachments:Public Comment 101822.docx
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Please see attached document for public comment for City Commission meeting 10/18/22. Thank you,
Megan Belasco
Megan Belasco
505 Cambridge Dr.
Bozeman MT 59715
Hello,
I am unable to be present in person for public comment this evening, but did not want to wait
for my next opportunity to be present in person to submit my comment.
I’ve spoken frequently this summer regarding the swim center, the function and the importance
it has to the entire aquatics community. It was recently brought to my attention that public
comment I made on September 27th was disappointing to the head of Parks and Rec (Mitch
Overton) and to the Aquatics Manager (Elizabeth Hill). I stated that the Barracudas were unable
to host our 39th annual Teddy Bear Swim Meet without a bulkhead.
I should have stated that we were unable to host our 39th annual Teddy Bear Meet without a
bulkhead to create a short-course pool (25 yards) and if we did host it in Bozeman, it would
need to be hosted in a long-course meet format (50 meters). And it has been hosted as a long-
course meet in the past when the meet was no longer being held at MSU and before the
current bulkhead. Mitch indicated that he made this fact known right away to the City Manager
as he felt I was not fairly representing the situation.
It is correct that we could return to offering this meet as a long-course (50 meter) meet during
the short-course (25 yard) season but the fact remains that we could not do this successfully.
For a meet to be successful, we need to have outside teams attend. In recent years, teams have
come from Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, as well as from all over Montana to attend. While
everyone is very sympathetic to the challenges our community is facing with aquatics, they let
us know that if our meet was hosted in a long-course (50 meter) format, they would not be able
commit the resources to attend. Swimming has changed in the last 6 years and what might
have worked back then, does not work now.
Luckily, we are able to negotiate hosting the meet in Butte and we are very thankful for that
opportunity. As a member of the Barracudas, I am happy we are able to host the meet in a
short-course format and that we are giving the meet the best chance we can to be successful
for our local club. Our City’s Parks and Rec and Aquatics Manager are also happy we are able to
host in Butte; this is what is best for our competitive swim community given the fact that we
are without a bulkhead. I am however left with the concerns I hear and share as a local
community member: How can we keep this business in Bozeman?
I am ultimately a community member, a mother of three swimmers, and a volunteer member
on our team board as we are a club-owned, local non-profit that seeks to provide competition
swim to our community. I am and will continue to do my absolute best to be transparent in
terms of challenges and successes of aquatics in our community. I have no intention of acting
divisive in any manner as I am very sure that is not in anyone’s best interest.
As a board member, I am tasked ultimately with fiscal responsibility of the club and this
includes hosting successful swim meets as they are one of the only sources of revenue for our
club. I hope clarifying my earlier public comment is helpful and we all continue to work towards
solutions together.
Thank you for your time,
Megan Belasco