Here is feedback from the community regarding a potential Aquatic & Community Center. 

"I think it (Don Morse Park) is a wonderful place because it is a central location with land that is not well utilized.  However, it needs to happen for the LOCAL PEOPLE!!!  There is no place for kids and parents to swim and or have organized groups (i.e. girl scouts).  Parking improvements are a must!"

Melissa White - Chelan/Manson

"Don Morse park is an excellent spot.  There is ample open space to accommodate 2.5 acres of Center.  It would draw in tourist dollars more easily because of location and yet is very centrally located for local people.  Need to be innovative for parking.  It is the third try--third time is a charm!"

Barb Polley - Chelan

"Hello, I attended part of the meeting for the possible aquatic center. I felt that in the time I was in the room, there were some great ideas being voiced. The health and recreational needs of our community needs addressing as it is obvious how our citizens have an obesity problem. I loved the idea of a six lane lap pool. And as many of us know, there are so many toddlers, and kinders, MOE had to hire more teachers to keep up with the population. "

"So, the splash area is brilliant. A large part of our population is retirement age or there about, and I'm sure would delight in the idea of a hot tub/jacuzzi. The winter restricts us to limited exercise, so a multi- purpose center including a 25 meter pool, jacuzzi, steam rooms, teen center, weight and exercise room, dance studios for tap, ballet, toddler tumbling, and martial arts classes, climbing wall, racquetball, and 220 seat auditorium/meeting place/theatre, with an art gallery would be just great!"

"Our family moved here from Greeley, Colorado, where they have an incredible example of a community center with all of the above, and more. They just completed an ice arena with two rinks, and they also have a 1665 seat theatre/auditorium. The place is called the Montfort Center and Greeley Recreation Center. Google Greeley Mofort Center, and Greeley Recreation Center. I'm sure you could discover the cost is not as much as what I heard the other day! Thank you. I've no desire to have a water park on the lake as we have a great one up on the butte where the air is free of gas fumes and loud noise from the boat engines. That is my opinion."

John Ryan - Chelan

“Our group’s goal is to provide the community with a centrally located community hub that can be both a gathering place and a recreation center that will benefit the health of the citizens of the Chelan valley. It is our objective to use creative funding methods to build and operate this proposed facility with little or no financial impact on taxpayers. I’m proud of our diverse group’s efforts to date and we encourage any interested parties to attend our monthly meetings. .”

Scott McKellar - Chelan

"We need to take hold of this generous offer and work together to make this happen! This is a positive improvement to this entire community...especially for those of us who live here year round. This is something for all ages!"

Lisa Gleasman - Chelan/Manson

"I support the idea of a Community Activity/Aquatics center in Don Morse Park as a way to bring the community to the park in the winter. Imagine, lots of lighting along the paths, an Ice Skating Rink, and the Community Center and pool. The park would be utilized all year long, and more people would stay in the RV Park in the shoulder months if there was a community center there. Could really help the winter tourism, by bringing more people here, thus helping ALL businesses in Chelan. I have lived here 4 years, and the 2 things I want to see to keep me here long term are an Aquatics Center and a biking/walking path."

Dave Rider - Manson

"This project is long overdue, and the timing is right. I would encourage you to visit communities similar to ours, especially those who depend on the tourist industry and have a high percentage of "second" homes. I was impressed with a similar structure in North Lake Tahoe at Incline Village. Thanks for getting the ball rolling."

Greg Griffiths - Chelan

"I am a teacher at MOE and this would be absolutely terrific for the children who live in this area!"  Kathie Teeley - Wenatchee

"This is fantastic and I fully support the Community Center."

Janet Henry - Chelan

"I think this is an improvement to the park that most citizens of Chelan would be able to use. I have 2 children and I know that we would use the indoor aquatics center quite often. I also think it opens up possibilities of a swim team in the Chelan area. I know that students drive down to Wenatchee to be able to participate in this event. I hope you will truly consider this proposition. I feel it would be an asset to our community."

Colleen Miller - Chelan

"As a new member of this community (7 months), I have become very involved and impressed at the family focus in Chelan. We lack as a community in providing the facilities to support our families year round. Please see this as a need."

Tanya Greenfield - Chelan

"A community center is an asset that Chelan cannot do without."

Kris Nolen - Chelan

"Good work!  One word of caution. I think I have heard in presentations something to the effect that "hardly anybody uses Don Morse Park anymore". What is true is that hardly any Anglos use Don Morse Park. But when I go there in the summer, it is full of Hispanic people having barbeque and enjoying the park. If this project is to be a hub of the whole community, as I am sure you intend, then there needs to be some incorporation of the Hispanic community into the conversation. Your sites are all ready very high and full of good intention for our community. I offer this in that same spirit!!" 

Paul Palumbo - Chelan

"Thank you for providing the website. A community activity center in Don Morse Park would be a great addition to our valley. Let's figure out how to make it happen."

Art Campbell Sr. - Chelan

"I would like to see the city support our effort to develop a community center in Don Morse park. There has never been a more active, dedicated and competent citizens group working together on this goal. We seek and welcome the city's support and participation in this process."

Art Campbell Jr. - Chelan

"Chelan is a tourist destination city, dependent on tourism activities that tourists would like. This is definitely one of them! It would also benefit to the "locals" and give them somewhere to go locally, year-around. I work at Lake Chelan Hospital and I know the patients and families would enjoy visiting this during their stay in Chelan."

Bruce Hahn - Omak

"Hello, a wonderful idea, I am also wondering if a kitchen and conference room might be added as well. A place where visiting groups could throw down a sleeping bag while visiting Chelan for skiing or off season events. It would be great to develop a "sister city" idea where another town/city might like to partner with Chelan for activities, events and such. I love the openness of the building for summer usage. I would also like to see the center be promoted and accessible year round. I would be interested in volunteering for this project if needed. "

Trish Maguire - Chelan

"My family would love, and support this!!!!"

Brett La Mar - Manson

"Great idea for the people, by the people."

Gabriel Flores - Manson

Thank you all for you wonderful responses. If you would like to send a comment to the mayor and city council of Chelan regarding an Aquatics & Community Center, click here, enter your comments, and submit.

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