Show you have a vision for a better Kirkland – vote yes on Prop. 1 | Letter

Published 7:00 am Saturday, October 17, 2015

What the people of Kirkland really need to ask themselves is if they believe in the vision of what the ARC can do for us as individuals and as a community. This is about what we, as a community, say to future generations when looking back on an opportunity that has been presented to us.

In the final assessment, now is the time. We owe it to ourselves to build a facility that will create a legacy that says we care about the health, wellness and safety of our community.

At a moment in history when we are collectively becoming more sedentary, obese, and captives to our glowing screens, why can’t we measure the cost of the ARC and see, that on balance, it is a fraction of the cost of what we are paying because of our lack of access to facilities and programs that drive a healthy (and safer) life?

The city has heard from us throughout years of surveys, open houses, community outreach, focus groups, City Council and Park Board meetings and, ultimately, aquatics and recreation programs that are bursting at the seams.

Now is the time! Are we willing to look back years from now and regret a missed opportunity to create a legacy for future generations by saying ‘No, I don’t think this community deserves this?’ Or, are we going to seize the moment, be bold, and say ‘Yes,’ this is the right time and this is the right way to create the Kirkland Aquatics and Recreation Center.

Lianna Doherty, Kirkland