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august 20, 2015
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Locals swim in big regional meet, Page 7
As annexation moves forward, no surprises in concerns of Klahanie residents By Tom Corrigan tcorrigan@isspress.com
Traffic and safety. Those clearly are going to be two big topics as the new Klahanie Transition Committee continues its discussions. The 16-member committee, which was created in July by the Sammamish City Council, was formed to help Sammamish officials learn what problems may await them as the city tackles the annexation of the Klahanie area. The Klahanie annexation will add about two square miles and approximately 11,000 residents to Sammamish on Jan. 1, 2016. Named by city officials, the all-volunteer committee consists mostly of representatives of homeowners groups in the annexation area. All but two of the members showed up for the committee’s first meeting Aug. 12. In terms of traffic, two problems spots were mentioned repeatedly, and their notorious reputation was surely no surprise to the city officials in attendance. Issaquah-Pine Lake Road already has traffic safety issues, said transition committee member Ray Edmonds, who noted that more development along the street is on its way. Several other committee members echoed Edmonds’ comments. Lorrie Schleg, who represents the Summer Pond subdivision, was elected chair of the transition committee. She mentioned safety concerns for children traveling to Pine Lake Middle See KLAHANIE, Page 3
Sammamish Days, Nights arrive Aug. 22 By Tom Corrigan tcorrigan@isspress.com Get ready for a daylong community celebration this weekend. Sammamish Days, organized by the city, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 22. Sammamish Nights, organized by the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce, runs 6:30-10 p.m. the same day. But no matter who is running the show, the main point is bringing the community together, said Joanna Martin, the city’s recreation supervisor. Chamber Executive Director Deb Sogge said the idea for Sammamish Nights sprung from a survey done a few years ago that showed there weren’t any big events for adults in Sammamish. The idea is just to get residents and neighbors together for a really good time, she added. Both events take place at the Sammamish Commons Plaza at City Hall, 801 228th Ave. S.E. Aimed at families, Sammamish Days is free and open to the public. Multicultural performances will happen throughout the day. Featured artists include traditional Irish dancers; Scoil Rince See PARTY, Page 3
By Greg Farrar
From left, Sammamish Police Chief Nate Elledge, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, Sammamish Mayor Tom Vance, Sammamish YMCA branch Director David Mayer and YMCA of Greater Seattle CEO Bob Gilbertson look out the windows from the fitness center toward forests and the Olympic Mountains during an Aug. 11 tour of construction at the Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center.
New community and aquatic center continues to take shape By Tom Corrigan tcorrigan@isspress.com There still is no official date for the opening of the new $33.8 million Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center rising up quickly behind the Sammamish City Hall campus on 228th Avenue Southeast. But construction is on track and the building should open in early 2016 as initially planned, said Amy Scott, marketing and communications director for the YMCA of Greater Seattle. While the city will maintain primary ownership of the facility, the YMCA will have responsibility for operating it. On Aug. 11, several Sammamish and YMCA officials, accompanied by U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, took a tour of the facility, which is still largely a shell of a building, but is definitely starting to take shape. Here are some highlights from the tour, as outlined by Marcia Isenberger, regional executive director of the Seattle YMCA. q Openness is a big theme in
the design of the new building. For example, a large exercise room on the main floor is surrounded by glass, offering views of the surrounding greenery. One particularly impressive view allows a glimpse of downtown Seattle. q A large “Kids Zone” will allow parents who are center members to drop off children around ages 4-5 while the adults go off to exercise. Another area will offer activities for somewhat older children. Some 6,000 youngsters are expected to pass through the activities areas every month, Isenberger said. q The building will feature two full-sized gyms. The gyms are largely shells at this point, with no finished floors or walls. But basketball hoops and backboards are already in place in both gyms. q One big highlight of the center will be two pools, including a two-story waterslide and a lazy river course through the center. Officials were happy to note the pathway for the lazy river ride is starting to take shape on the lower floor of the
facility. A six-lane lap pool will be located next door. q The building will feature free public meeting rooms off the main lobby. Four exercise or multipurpose rooms will sit near the gyms and locker rooms. The latter facilities will include several family-style locker rooms. Isenberger talked about the facility receiving some 600,000 visitors annually. She said the real idea of the facility from the YMCA’s point of view is building community. “This is all just to bring people together,” she said. Dave Mayer, the executive director of the new facility, said he was pleased to have so many visitors tour the building. See CENTER, Page 3 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
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