HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-26 Public Comment - L. Thatcher - New swim centerFrom:Laurie Thatcher
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]New swim center
Date:Tuesday, September 29, 2026 6:27:23 PM
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Dear City Commissioners,
I have lived in Bozeman for 31 years, and throughout that time I have used the Swim Center in
many different capacities. I have been a competitive triathlete, a Masters swimmer, a wateraerobics participant, and I am now a volunteer coach for Masters swimming.
Over the years, I have also had the privilege of cheering on many local kids who participatedin the Barracuda swim program and competed on the high school swim team. Swimming and
aquatics have been an important part of my life and an important part of the Bozemancommunity.
I believe our city desperately needs a new aquatics center.
The current facility is trying to meet the demands of a rapidly growing community, but it
simply cannot accommodate all of the needs placed upon it. Lap swimming is sometimeschanged from lengthwise swimming to widthwise swimming, reducing the distance to only 20
yards. While I understand that the facility is trying to accommodate as many users as possible,this configuration is not adequate for serious lap swimmers, Masters swimmers, or competitive
training.
The water temperature also presents challenges. Older swimmers, including many lap
swimmers and water aerobics participants, often struggle because the water is too cold fortheir needs. At the same time, the current temperature works well for lap swimming. This
illustrates the need for a facility designed with different pools and temperatures to serve thediverse needs of our community.
At a minimum, Bozeman needs a full aquatics center that includes a therapeutic/warm-waterpool as well as a 25-meter lap pool. Ideally, the facility would be designed to accommodate
competitive swimming, Masters swimming, water aerobics, rehabilitation and therapeuticactivities, youth programs, and recreational swimming.
The locker rooms are another example of how the current facility is no longer adequate for ourcommunity. They are small, tired, and overcrowded. As Bozeman continues to grow, we need
an aquatics facility that reflects the size, vitality, and resources of our community.
For a city of Bozeman’s size and with the resources and wealth present in our community, I
believe we are long overdue for a new aquatics center.
Most importantly, I would love to be part of the solution rather than simply complain about
the problem. I would be very interested in contributing my time, experience, and perspectiveas a longtime Bozeman resident, swimmer, coach, and aquatics participant to help move this
effort forward.
Please let me know what I can do to help the City build the aquatics center our community
needs and deserves. I would welcome the opportunity to participate in discussions, communityplanning, advocacy, or any committee or working group that could help make a new facility a
reality.
Thank you for your service to our community and for considering this important need.
Sincerely,
Laurie Thatcher
2111 Spring Creek Dr, Boz Mt 59715
406 -580-9160
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