Dear Members of the City Council,
I have been swimming at Burgess (and currently Belle Haven) for decades. I go twice a week. Both pools are easily accessible to me from where I live, and I love both pools.
I am sad to hear that there have been funding problems since the Belle Haven pool opened, as, from what I understand, it is not getting enough use. Recently, they have had to reduce the hours at Burgess to save money.
It might be a good idea to appeal to Facebook and its leadership to advertise very actively that this fresh new Belle Haven pool (as well as the gym and library) are not only a cornucopia of recreation opportunities for Facebook employees, but a health benefit for them also—instead of sitting for too many hours in front of their computers. It would probably be no more than 75 minutes out of their day, and they would return, healthier and more refreshed, to their work stations. I think if Facebook spent money on the beautiful facility, they should keep up the effort and not abandon it once the construction is done. I’m not sure if they are following up now—or not. (I saw a similar situation with the private school funded by Chan/Zuckerberg that was not continued, but I don’t know if the funding entities were the same.)
I’m not good at marketing, but certainly finding someone who is (or a team, or marketing contractors) would be a good idea. Providing incentives for those in the Belle Haven area to come to the pool would be a good idea. Like offering the use of the gym and the pool in one package, as has been done. I am sure others can come up with more good ideas.
More than that, Menlo Park is a wealthy community, and should give serious consideration to greater funding for Menlo Swim and Sport. It’s a very worthwhile community asset, and I, for one (and many others, including non-swimmers) would support such spending.
I very much appreciate all the work you do, and will be grateful for the support you (and we, the residents!) can give to these two community gems.
Many thanks,
Judy Windt
239 Elliott Drive
