Rick R.
Oct 10, 2024
Supporting Measure I will help build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community for generations to come.
With the closure of the International Swim Center (ISC) in January 2024, the Santa Clara community continues to face a critical shortage of facilities, making the upcoming elections vital to maintaining public safety and quality of life. On the ballot is Measure I, which drew unanimous support from the City Council and will help fund essential infrastructure projects, addressing these urgent needs while preserving Santa Clara’s legacy of aquatic excellence.
The shortage of aquatic facilities has had a ripple effect throughout the community. Athletes are now forced into grueling schedules, with practices as early as 5:30 a.m. before school and as late as 9:30 p.m. on weeknights. "We've had to get creative, and these are the only times we can secure access to water," says Kevin Zacher, head coach of the Santa Clara Swim Club. The few available pools are overly crowded, resulting in shorter, condensed practices as teams and programs are forced to share limited space. This situation has taken a toll on athletes’ well-being, reducing their time for recovery, academic focus, and overall health.
Families are also feeling the strain, with many having to commute longer distances to San Jose, Sunnyvale, Saratoga, and Los Gatos for practices. This dispersion is weakening the sense of community in Santa Clara, as parents and athletes spend more time traveling and less time connecting locally.
In addition, money spent on renting pools by the three aquatics clubs previously operating at the ISC is going elsewhere instead of staying in the city. Local businesses are also losing revenue generated from regular foot traffic and large meets such as the renowned George Haines International Meet, which attracts athletes and their families from far and wide.
The impacts of the facility shortage extend beyond competitive athletics. Senior swim, water fitness classes, learn-to-swim programs, and recreational swimming have all been significantly cut back due to lack of space. These programs are essential for public health, water safety, and provide fitness opportunities for people of all ages. The CDC reports an increase in deaths in recent years due to drowning. The recent October heat wave highlighted the need for accessible public pools, as residents were left without a place to cool off.
Measure I is critical to solving these issues. With new facilities and creative thinking about how to leverage them for vibrant aquatic programs, Santa Clara can offer expanded opportunities for health, fitness, and community bonding. “These new spaces will allow us to not only maintain our tradition of aquatic excellence but to ensure everyone—from young children learning to swim to seniors staying active—has a place to thrive,” says Zacher. Supporting Measure I will help build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community for generations to come.
From left to right: Student athletes arrive and prepare for weekday practices at 5:25 am in Saratoga.Student athletes arrive and prepare for weekday practices at 5:25 am in Saratoga; Santa Clara Swim Club and Santa Clara Dive Club crowd into a small, 25-yard pool at Peterson Middle School in Sunnyvale to share facilities and costs due to facility shortages; In San Jose, Santa Clara Swim Club packs the MacDonald pool until 9:30 pm every week night
to fit in practice time for swimmers across a variety of age and skill levels.
About the Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation:
The Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation, a nonprofit organization, combines the legacy and
energy of the Santa Clara Swim Club, Santa Clara Dive Club, Santa Clara Artistic Swimming
Club (Aquamaids), and the community to advocate for the future of aquatics in Santa Clara.
Contact Information:
Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation
info@SantaClaraAquatics.org