HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-30-26 Public Comment - J. Gage - Public comment for Oct. 6_ Stand-alone aquatics centerFrom:Josh Gage
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public comment for Oct. 6: Stand-alone aquatics center
Date:Wednesday, September 30, 2026 3:59:33 PM
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Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
My name is Josh Gage, and I live in Bozeman. I use our local pool for my daily exercise, and
my kids swim with the Bozeman Barracudas and will soon be high school swimmers. I'masking that you include a pool/aquatics center among the community needs you prioritize on
October 6, and that it be planned as its own stand-alone facility rather than folded into anotherproject such as a second library.
How we use the pool today. The pool is part of my daily routine and my kids' routine. That
gives me a close view of how tight our aquatic space is: lanes are crowded, hours are limited,and there is little room for lap swimmers, clubs, and school teams to all fit. During the high
school swim season, the schedule is difficult and it's hard to find time for swim teams whileworking around the school schedule.
What Bozeman needs. Bozeman needs a dedicated indoor facility designed around swimming,
with daytime lap swim for adults who can't swim only early in the morning or after work. Wealso need free swim and lap swim on weekends for families and kids. I'd urge the City to
design the pool so it can be configured for both 50-meter (long course) and 25-yard (shortcourse) swimming, whether through the pool's footprint or a movable bulkhead. That
flexibility would serve daily lap swimmers, the Barracudas, private clubs, and high schoolteams, and it would let Bozeman host meets that currently have to go elsewhere.
A pool built into a larger multi-use building tends to lose out on space, hours, and water time.
A stand-alone facility can be scheduled and staffed around the people who depend on it.
Why now. Bozeman has grown quickly, and aquatic capacity hasn't kept pace. As my kidsmove into high school, they'll compete for the same limited water as every other team and
swimmer in town. Waiting widens the gap and raises construction costs. A pool serves nearlyevery age and ability, supports youth sports and public health, and is a real safety investment
in a community surrounded by rivers and lakes.
Thank you for your time and service. I hope you'll give this serious weight on October 6.
Sincerely,Josh Gage
Bozeman, MT