[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568096,"mediaKeyId","3210768-cc060ad5ea1d5897e4f8dda9c519bbe5","parentId",3210768,"title","Residents and coaches push Kennewick council for indoor aquatics facility","audioSeconds",2372,"startMs",1450250,"endMs",3822650,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210768-cc060ad5ea1d5897e4f8dda9c519bbe5&start=1450&end=3822","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210768-cc060ad5ea1d5897e4f8dda9c519bbe5/thumbnail_1450250.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568096/Kennewick-City/Benton-County/Washington/Residents-and-coaches-push-Kennewick-council-for-indoor-aquatics-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568096-f04e792718e3218663628a4ccee82a57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157468&Signature=KxfzjErJTbz5-pP4rh-NMQRXSpZ8G1XR4j7KGClTpDD8l~Rm9OJMJSyvnleZZuxWi5tfioFUogLNwDA4YA6e~QtirAj0rNXtKmJX~LNb6nChq-s7KcAObs8je9Zxh1mIhX6NjlcrpFhbZShcx1iUZ5-frTmn2fpL21JuNhYOpOk6Bh2mYXcEbW4wGDwjv4ZNUyCLhN25ArMsn2711gOqfkrZTP1JrYUPVcxG00cpMMBw9hLMdKDt9PuFIpzaGGJYTTknpvJ6I5flEz-a8glMLyI1RiCKIDAKK-wHtoy2SZOK1z6AxEY0weIeA7iEZTweINAvJEz4BnUaURe6Femrgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kennewick","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple swim coaches, club leaders and residents urged the Kennewick City Council on May 6 to prioritize an indoor public aquatics facility, saying the Tri Cities area lacks sufficient year-round pool capacity for lessons, competitive teams and water-safety programs.

Speakers described long waiting lists for teams and lessons, argued indoor facilities would improve public safety and youth opportunities, and asked the council to help move the project from discussion to action. Several speakers said existing pool space is privately owned and fully booked, limiting programs for school teams, Special Olympics, and community lessons.

Who spoke: Jason Hart identified himself as the head coach at Southridge (swim program) and described a school program that taught high-school students to instruct fifth graders; he said an indoor facility would promote “togetherness” and lifetime fitness. Wes Bratton, who lives in Richland and has coached high-school and Special Olympics swimmers, urged creating public indoor facilities for winter instruction. Lisa Tippett said she is the head swim coach at Kennewick High School and said the area’s high schools and swim clubs lack year-round access. Other speakers included Randy Willis, Jesse Grow, Mike Sandbeck and community members who described community need and potential economic and safety benefits.

Council and staff response: Council members praised the turnout and energy of the speakers and discussed possible next steps. Council member Beauchamp suggested the city could help channel community energy toward fundraising or public-private solutions. Council member Anderson and others said the speakers demonstrated momentum and community support; City Manager Dylan Grama acknowledged the need and said the city will work to figure out how to make it happen. No formal action or funding decision occurred at the meeting.

Context and specifics raised by speakers: several presenters cited a recent study (provided to the city the afternoon of the meeting) showing the region’s deficit of indoor competitive pools; one staff or resident comment referenced Benton County’s rapid growth as further justification for expanded aquatics services. Speakers requested year-round lesson availability, more opportunities for Special Olympics and youth programs, and space for competitive meets that could draw visitors.

What the meeting did not decide: council did not vote on funding, siting, design, or a formal plan for an indoor aquatic center. Staff and council suggested exploring options and possibly partnering with community groups, but no specific follow-up tasks or timelines were adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kennewick - City Council - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the May 6 Kennewick City Council meeting, multiple coaches, swim-club leaders and residents urged the city to pursue an indoor competitive aquatic center, citing safety, youth programs and unmet community demand.","taxTitle","Kennewick City, Benton County, Washington","taxId",5807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568101,"Kennewick council approves hotel transfer, parking and development agreements for 3 Rivers project",604,2653270,3257300,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210768-cc060ad5ea1d5897e4f8dda9c519bbe5&start=2653&end=3257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210768-cc060ad5ea1d5897e4f8dda9c519bbe5/thumbnail_2653270.jpg","/articles/6568101/Kennewick-City/Benton-County/Washington/Kennewick-council-approves-hotel-transfer-parking-and-development-agreements-for-3-Rivers-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568101-7f7b7e5fa8bf01c67dcd1dc69449a54a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157468&Signature=QyhNrY24C-t5suaUbkrWksl~H5WOBtN92tuDkCRTwgStUPIlbPHjH9it2dNdhEXGuq2b6efi4Pxkos20rVg7QmOa5B34c1ODUwlBqraUT--JtpNdpkOjeWb4iuTwf-l4wUPV7NRz0FLRLj97ubr1hl4SBgKEWyRXOoe57R9ShZKKeWKQ2GeCoFlWNoicJANZM~o9an6Fu3h-sRGXo3O9gtf8TMRV0cNqUvjIhgGiUxstboDn-f50ywB4pEyg9dQcVYP8XQ8sWNqW~mlCMitvLACbz4LA1xt0YmCwD335ernnub5YthBOs9qr8oxDHe81IPGUpYDp0ln9lQBj3JDD4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kennewick City Council on May 6 unanimously approved three agreements to advance a hotel tied to the city’s 3 Rivers Entertainment District and the convention center expansion.

The council approved a sixth addendum to a purchase-and-sale agreement that assigns Parcel A’s purchase rights to A13 Rivers Hotel LLC; a reciprocal parking licensing agreement among the city, the Kennewick Public Facilities District and A13 Rivers Hotel LLC for shared spaces; and a development agreement that lays out construction responsibilities and cost allocations. All three motions passed 7-0.

Why it matters: the approvals formalize who will develop the hotel parcel, how parking will be shared once retail associated with the hotel is built, and which party is responsible for overlapping on-site construction costs and timing. City staff told council the hotel developer has secured financing and created A13 Rivers Hotel LLC to take over the purchase rights previously held by A1 Pearl Development Group.

Details of the agreements: city staff said the reciprocal parking agreement anticipates roughly 94 shared parking spaces tied to the hotel’s retail component and the convention center; it assigns maintenance responsibilities and clarifies that, when the convention center is not holding events, the hotel entity would handle snow removal or similar duties for those shared areas. The development agreement allocates pre-site and on-site development costs among the parties and includes a timeline intended to align project construction.

Council process and votes: staff presented each report, council members asked clarifying questions about the developer entities and timeline, and motions were made and seconded before each vote. Mayor Pro Tem Torelli moved the addendum and the reciprocal parking agreement; Council member Anderson seconded the addendum and Council member McShane seconded the parking agreement. Council member Milbauer moved the development agreement; Mayor Pro Tem Torelli seconded it. The roll calls returned unanimous approval on all three items.

Votes at a glance
- Sixth addendum to purchase-and-sale agreement (agenda item 5A): motion to approve assignment of purchase rights to A13 Rivers Hotel LLC. Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Torelli. Second: Council member Anderson. Outcome: approved, 7-0.
- Reciprocal parking licensing agreement (agenda item 5B): motion to approve shared-parking agreement among City of Kennewick, Kennewick Public Facilities District and A13 Rivers Hotel LLC. Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Torelli. Second: Council member McShane. Outcome: approved, 7-0. (Staff described ≈94 shared spaces tied to future retail.)
- Development agreement for transfer of Parcel A (agenda item 5C): motion to approve construction and cost-allocation agreement among the City of Kennewick, Kennewick Public Facilities District and A13 Rivers Hotel LLC. Mover: Council member Milbauer. Second: Mayor Pro Tem Torelli. Outcome: approved, 7-0.

What's next: staff indicated the agreements are intended to keep the project on a coordinated timeline; council and staff did not set specific contract-implementation dates during the meeting. The council scheduled a tentative groundbreaking for the convention center expansion for May 20, according to the city manager's later remarks.

Sources: staff reports and council motions presented at the May 6, 2025 Kennewick City Council meeting.","On May 6, 2025 the Kennewick City Council unanimously approved three contracts that assign hotel purchase rights, establish reciprocal parking, and set construction obligations for the 3 Rivers Entertainment District hotel and related convention center expansion.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents and coaches push Kennewick council for indoor aquatics facility

Kennewick council approves hotel transfer, parking and development agreements for 3 Rivers project