An exciting national paddling film festival is coming to North Bend in September, and it’s for a cause that supports a new pool in the Snoqualmie Valley.
The National Paddling Film Festival will come to the North Bend Theater on Sunday, September 20. The festival features a selection of interesting, informative and entertaining films centered on the topic of river paddling, from white-water adventures to river protection and preservation. It’s a relevant topic for the Snoqualmie Valley, home to the three forks of the Snoqualmie River and numerous smaller waterways.
The film festival is sponsored by Valley Pool Together, an organization that is promoting ongoing discussion about a new regional pool in the Snoqualmie Valley. VPT’s focus has been to explore creative financing strategies, identify an expanded list of potential sites, and bring interested parties together, explains Kate Leen, the organization’s president.
Proceeds from the film festival go toward VPT’s Community Study Project. The professionally conducted study will gather key information from local residents about supporting a new regional pool, location, cost, and more. That information will help Snoqualmie Valley leaders gauge interest and feasibility for a new pool.
“We’re thrilled to host the National Paddling Film Festival as our fundraiser because it goes so well with what we are trying to achieve with a new pool,” says Leen. “It’s all about bringing people together around their enjoyment of the water, and what is possible when water safety and recreation includes the whole community. Plus the films are just really inspiring and exciting to watch.”
VPT was formed after Si View voters rejected bond measures to build a new pool on property owned by the Si View Metropolitan Park District across the street from Si View Park. The existing pool was built in 1938 when North Bend had 600 residents. It was a state-of-the-art facility when it opened, but now is in failing condition, expensive to maintain, and too small to meet community needs, such as enough swimming programs for young kids and water therapy for seniors. The bond measures received majority support, but not the 60 percent approval required. “It’s clear there is popular support for a new, modern pool in the Snoqualmie Valley,” says Leen. “Our mission is to bring all concerned parties together to see if there’s a way to make it happen.”
The paddling film festival runs at the theater, 125 Bendigo Blvd., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and $15 for seniors and youth. Raffles featuring goods donated by local businesses and other fun activities will be held, and the concession stand will be open. You can find more information at www.valleypooltogether.org.
