Letter Submitted by the Temecula Valley Olympic Pool Facility Coalition

August 1, 2022

Coalition Letter to City Council, Local Businesses, and Southern California Swimming Urging Support for an Olympic Pool Swim Facility in Temecula, California

 

Prepared by:

Rachel Bollin, Founder

TVOPC

​

Dear City Council Members, Southern California Swim, and Local Businesses:

 

We write to you to request your support in the building of a new aquatic facility in Temecula, California.

 

The Temecula Valley Olympic Pool Coalition has been formed by parents of competitive swimmers in the Temecula Valley. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our mission and request support from local community board members, businesses, and members of Southern California Swimming.

 

The coalition was formed when the parents of swimmers for the local swim team noticed overcrowding during practices at the community recreation center pool that is currently used for most practices. After further research we uncovered that a new swimming facility in Temecula with a 50 meter (Olympic Size Pool) had been in discussion with the city council for many years. Further research uncovered that a survey completed by the city council 10 years ago listed a new aquatic facility as a priority for residents. The residents stated that 1 pool for every 16,000 residents was desired. Today, the city offers just one pool facility for every 110,000 residents. With this information, the parents of TMEC Triton’s attended a city council meeting and sent letters asking that a new facility be taken into consideration. Parents also reached out to the local paper and put into motion a news article that was released in May 2022.

 

The local swim team, TMEC Tritons, have been seeing an increased number of swimmers enrolled in the program. The program which offers swim lessons and competitive swim programs is experiencing overcrowding and lack of pool space. A new aquatic facility with a 50-meter pool and diving well will serve as an opportunity to grow both the swim team and offer complimentary water sports to the residents of Temecula. This would include water polo, diving, synchronized swimming, along with the ability to expand the swim team and swim instruction programs.

 

Cities such as Irvine, Riverside, and Mission Viejo have enjoyed the financial benefits of having aquatic centers with 50-meter pools. These facilities meet the requirements of USA swimming allowing them to host swim meets such as Junior Olympics, Summer and Winter Age Group Meets, and State Championships. These meets bring the host cities millions of dollars in sales taxes throughout the year. Large swim meets which last one week, are reported to bring host cities between 1-3 million dollars in revenue.

 

With the growth of the City of Temecula, it is fitting that this vibrant community would be able to offer an aquatic facility that would meet the needs of its residents and become a popular amenity and community resource.

 

We ask for your support with your signature for the development of a new aquatic facility with an Olympic (50-meter) pool and diving well.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rachel Bollin

TVOPC-Founder