Anna Martin, President of the Boating Council: Anna began the presentation with some background information about the Boathouse: The current boathouse was built in 1985. It was the last project of the "Forward Thrust" King County bond issues of the late 70's/early 80's. The city took over maintenance after it was built. The Boathouse Expansion project has been in the planning stages for about five years. After many meetings, there is agreement among neighbors, city planners and council members on a design that will meet the needs of the community. The plan is to break ground in April of 2005. The Boating Council, composed of twelve neighborhood volunteers, is managing the project.
Peggy Tosdal, Director, Mt. Baker Boating and Sailing Center: Peggy reported that this is probably the last chance to get something like this done on the waterfront, given the increasing regulations for development along the lake. We need the facilities to be safer and more time-efficient for users. The expansion will provide dedicated space for safe storage of equipment. Everything will have a home, from ergs to motorboats to canoes and sailboats. Users will no longer waste time during practice moving equipment around to get access to shells. Ergometers will be permanently set up for easier use. New shower and locker rooms and improved bathroom facilities will be provided so rowers can shower or change clothes before or after work.
The new facility will be an asset to the broader community. With expanded space, a canoe/kayak rental program will be possible. Renters can then paddle toward Seward Park where they can link with the Environmental Education Center. In this way, the facility will enhance environmental stewardship as well as fitness and sports programs. An indoor multipurpose room will allow expanded fitness programming for the whole community, including improved space for indoor activities when bad weather keeps us off the water.
Holly Boone and Jean Zatochill, Boating Council Campaign Steering Committee: The two reported that a total of $528,000 of the $1.76 million budget has been raised to date, including $50,000 pledged from Council members and a $350,000 grant from the State of Washington. The next phase of the campaign will include soliciting the "family", that is, the past and present users of the boathouse. Major gifts from individuals are currently being sought, as well as in-kind contributions of construction services and materials. An auction and grass roots neighborhood campaign are scheduled for the last phase of the campaign.
Kate Tylee, Mt. Baker junior, UW rower, now Mt. Baker coach: Rowing at Mt. Baker changed Kate's life in high school, sustaining her with what have become permanent friendships. It paved the way to many future accomplishments, including stroking the UW varsity women's eight, as well as rowing for the junior national team. Kate is excited about the boathouse expansion which she believes will strengthen all the boating programs. She's especially excited about having shower facilities!
Dale Peschel, rower and junior crew parent: Dale inspired the group at the meeting by reminding us that everyone has a story about how he or she got into rowing and what that means to them. Tell your story, he suggested, and show your passion for it when you go out there and solicit support for this project. Be an ambassador and "reach deep". Each of us can expand our own gift by gathering more money from a wide variety of personal and business contacts. Holly Boone added that she wonders how different her life would be if she hadn't been able to row. She imagined each of us probably has wondered the same thing.
Becky Brown, Chair, Conibear Fundraising Committee: A committee has been established to help facilitate Conibear's response to this project. The committee recommends our team set a collective goal, representing the amount we believe we can raise from our own gifts and gifts we might solicit from family and friends. To help us estimate how to raise this, the committee would like to take a "reading" of the club by distributing a survey for members to indicate the extent to which they are willing to support the project. (The survey was subsequently handed out and Conibears filled it out and turned it in at the end of the evening). The committee recommends voting on our fundraising goal at the next Conibear business meeting.
Conibears then asked some clarifying questions and made positive comments about the value of the boathouse expansion project. A highlight came from Randy Pratt: "Conibear has been at Mt. Baker for 20 years. During this time, we have watched beautiful new crew houses built around Lake Union, such as the Pocock Rowing Center and Lake Washington Rowing Club Fremont Boathouse, and seriously considered moving the club. Rather than move, we have stayed here because of the excellent relationship which has developed with Mt. Baker. Now with this expansion project, we will have a first-rate facility providing us all the amenities of the other boathouses. Conibear should be part of this legacy. It is our chance to get what we want - without moving - and help provide the community with a wonderful resource for future generations!"