Osborn Pool Assistance UPDATE

A huge thank you to all you called, emailed, or talked with Oregon representatives about Osborn Aquatic Center!  In the last few days they received word that Oregon will help fund needed repairs on the facility!  See this message below: 

"

You did it!!!    Osborn Aquatic Center landed on the limited list of 45 approved projects. 

The tremendous effort of the swimming community from across the state and region was very effective.  I heard from multiple members across the state about the project.  Your work caused this project to land on the priority list of MULTIPLE legislators.  

This also landed on the final list for two key reasons:  

1.  This was a project that benefitted people across the state, and was not just a local project.

2.  Because Osborn is so critical to tourism to Corvallis, it was classified as an economic development initiative.  We were able to demonstrate this because of the consistent, ongoing revenue brought into the city through events at the pool.   This is estimated at roughly $1.5 million per year.  Combined with changes to the PAC-12, tourism loss is a significant issue in Corvallis. 

This tie to economic development ended up being critical, as the budget writers focused appropriations on projects related to infrastructure, economic development and housing.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!  And thanks to everyone who worked on this--- including Hibah and Maia!"

Previous message about Osborn:

Osborn Aquatic Center in Corvallis hosts at least one Championship per season as well as several meets.  The facility has an indoor LCM pool and an outdoor SCY pool with a good amount of spectator seating, making it a great facility to host meets.  Last fall it was discovered that the facility had some major structural issues that made use of the facility impossible.  CAT (Corvallis Aquatic Team, who was at the meet in Gresham last weekend), Corvallis Masters, the Oregon Swimming board, and Oregon Masters Swimming board is asking for our support for a community and statewide resource for swimming in Oregon.

Where:  Osborn Aquatic Center in Corvallis

Why:  Shut down for an indefinite period of time due to design failure in the roof.

What: Request for state funding submitted by Senator Sara Gelser Blouin

Support:  What you can do as a Masters swimmer to show our support

How:  Write/call or meet with your local legislators to help them understand the importance of Osborn to our swimming community statewide

For more information and details of how to contact your state legislators to support this effort, please see the attached letter or go to the OMS website here and download the OMS Member Advocacy Document. If you just want to find your legislator, go to this site.

If you have been to Osborn, please share any personal thoughts and stories about swimming in Oregon and the importance of Osborn as a statewide resource – as we have heard that this personal contact from constituents is making an impression on legislators statewide!

If you have not been to Osborn but would like to support this effort, also in the attached document and on the website are a sample letter and some suggested talking points that you are welcome to share with your legislator.

If you do not live in Oregon:

- You can help by writing to members of the Capitol Construction and Ways and Means Committee (see list at the bottom of this letter), or by filling out this short form for Sen. Gelser

Blouin’s team, letting them know you are willing to speak with legislators who are members of the Committee.

The names and emails of Capitol Construction and Ways and Means Committee members are below; note that you should send an email to each individually as this has more impact than sending a single email to all of them. Remember to talk about how OAC impacts you regardless of where you live.

Sen. Girod (SD 9) [email protected] Rep. Nosse (HD 42) [email protected] Sen. Frederick (SD 22) [email protected] Sen. Lieber (SD 14) [email protected] Sen. McLane (SD 30) [email protected] Sen. Wagner (SD 19) [email protected] Rep. Drazan (HD 51) [email protected] Rep. Kropf (HD 54) [email protected] Rep. Nathanson (HD 13) [email protected] Rep. Smith (HD 57) [email protected] Rep. Sanchez (HD) [email protected]

We have heard from Sen. Gelser Blouin’s office that a number of her senate colleagues have already received comments from their constituents supporting OAC, and it has been making an impression! Sharing personal thoughts and stories about swimming in Oregon and the importance of OAC is proving to be compelling.

Thank you for your help and support!

-Your OMS Board and Corvallis Aquatic Masters