Fees and users up in 2009 for Mary Wayte Pool

Parks and Recreation superintendent Diane Mortenson presented the City Council with its annual report for the Mary Wayte Pool, run by Northwest Center Pools, on March 1.

According to the report, the pool saw a successful year in 2009, bringing in $82,300 more revenue than in 2008. As for gross profit, the pool earned $327,500 last year, as compared with 298,700 in 2008. However, total expenses were also up in 2009. The cost of goods and total expenses were at $513,300 in 2009, compared with $442,200 the year before.

Attendance at the pool was busiest in the first quarter, most likely due to fall swim team programs. Private clubs such as Chinook Aquatic and Salmon Bay Aquatic also hosted events at the pool. Registration for group lessons increased over last year, and the pool saw a first quarter attendance rate of 20,400. This number dropped in the second quarter to 11,000, picked up for the third quarter to 19,500 — mostly from aquatic club rentals and the fall high school swim team — and then dropped to 15,600 for the final quarter of the year.

A couple of capital improvements took place in 2009: the boiler motor, pool valve and pipe were replaced, and the pool’s HV and sump pump were repaired.

One unique event that brought young swimmers to the Mary Wayte Pool was the Parks and Recreation “movie nights,” which allows children and families to swim while a movie plays on a screen above.

Changes in 2010 will include locker room renovations, set for August, along with regular seasonal ideas to bring in more pool users.

The City Council agreed in 2007 to invest $200,000 into the upkeep of Mary Wayte Pool as part of a long-running agreement between the city and the Northwest Center.

For more information, contact Diane Mortenson at 275-7861.

Island artists to beautify Town Center with banners

This summer, the streets of Mercer Island will be bursting with color, and not from all the pots of flowers. In July, the Mercer Island Arts Council will be draping the Town Center’s lamp posts with dozens of vibrant banners.

Last week, the City Council approved $32,750 to go toward the banner art project, which aims to “visually enrich” the Town Center, highlight the Arts Council and its programs, and support local artists. The money comes from the city’s 1 percent Public Art Fund.

According to Arts Council Chair Jane Ditzler, the call for artists went out last week.

“Our search is limited to MI residents. That in itself is exciting and it’s what the City Council asked for. We’re very happy to oblige,” Ditzler said.

As for the content of the banners, the Arts Council Chair said they would focus on the organization’s five popular events: Music and Shakespeare in the Park; the indoor and outdoor Island art gallery, and Summer Celebration. Artists will be asked to capture these events in their banner design. The submission deadline is April 13, after which an Arts Council panel will decide on the winners.

“We hope to have the first banners up by Summer Celebration!,” Ditzler said, adding that the artwork would grace Town Center streets year-round.

In its discussion of the project, the City Council noted that beautifying the Town Center would help attract business. Indeed, this is a motivating drive for the project. The art is also, however, a celebration.

“This year is the 25th anniversary of the Mercer Island Arts Council. In a way, the [banner project] is celebrating our anniversary,” Ditzler said.

The Arts Council has already worked with the city and Transportation Department to find locations for its 60-plus banners, the majority of which will be put up along S.E. 27th Street, Sunset Highway, S.E. 28th Street, S.E. 30th Street and 78th Avenue S.E. The banners will be made of weather-resistant material to withstand the Pacific Northwest elements.

If you are an artist who would like to participate in the banner contest, call Amber Britton at 275-7864 or visit the Arts Council home page at www.mercergov.org.