Greetings Aquatic Enthusiasts and Happy New Year!

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition gets new leadership

On January 1, 2023, Rich Childers took over the leadership of JAC as president along with Jan Fisler serving as vice-president. Peter Braden handed the torch to Rich after serving as president for three years.

Rich retired in 2020 after a 30 year career in marine policy and fishery management. He has been an active swimmer his entire life and knows the value and service public swimming programs provide to communities.

Jan worked for 16 years in a research lab at Wadsworth VA Hospital studying fasting and metabolic derangements in obese humans. She obtained a PhD in Public Health Nutrition from UCLA in 1981 and held faculty positions at USC and UCLA in the Departments of Medicine studying the genetics of obesity. Jan has been a regular participant in aqua aerobics since 1997 and considers water fitness to be vital for her health and well-being.

Rich and Jan are committed to a goal of sustaining a thriving aquatic facility that promotes health and safety in our community. They will focus their leadership on advancing JAC’s mission and vision to establish an accessible, affordable, community-supported modern aquatic center in Jefferson County. 

JAC Board of Directors. From left to right: Rich Childers, Bill Mann, Jan Fisler, Rena Murman, Katelyn Bosley, Diane McDade, Peter Braden. Member Jane Armstrong and Phillipa Lance absent. Complete bios for all board members are posted on the JAC Website.

Noteworthy accomplishments in 2022

JAC supported and accomplished several noteworthy activities in 2022 including:

• Collaborated with the YMCA and sponsored a free family swim at Mountain View Pool on 12/29;

• Provided financial support and coordinated with Jefferson County Health Department to install privacy changing area on pool deck for persons with disabilities;

• Offered scholarships for life-guard training for Mountain View Pool guards;

• Committed financial support for early phase strategic planning for a new Health and Wellness Center that will include an aquatic component;

• Engaged as a partner organization on the strategic planning committee for the building of a community Health and Wellness center.

Your voice and input are needed

A public/partnership process relating to the fate of the Mountain View Pool as well as the prospect of a new wellness/aquatic center are currently a high priority work focus for city officials. Public meetings and online surveys are being scheduled for January 2023 and decision points are fast approaching. Supporting the city in this process is critical at this time and your voice and input will make a difference. Please take a few moments and express your support for aquatic programs and a vision for a modern wellness center in our community that includes an aquatic component. You can email your support to Carrie Hite, Director of Parks and Recreation Strategy chite@cityofpt.us or to John Mauro, City Manager jmauro@cityofpt.us. Emails or letters to city council members or to Port Townsend Leader newspaper are also effective. There is also an online form and survey you can use for comments on the Mountain View Campus and golf course properties.

Online Comment Form

Looking forward to 2023

Our board members truly appreciate your support for our work and mission. After years of attempts and hopes to realize a community aquatic center and aquatic programs, we are now at that point to see it happen. We join others in our community to chart this path. The time is now for a Jefferson County wellness and aquatic center.

JAC is providing vital and valuable support to promote and sustain aquatic programs and to foster partnerships and support for a modern aquatic facility for our greater community. Please consider making a donation to our organization that will support our efforts and help us realize our mission. Also please consider getting involved with JAC by joining our board and supporting our efforts directly. Contact us for more information on how to get involved.

JAC mission, vision, and values

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your gifts are tax deductible.