Dembowski Secures Sports & Recreation Grants for Bothell and Kenmore
Summary
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski secured significant investments in sports and recreation facilities in North King County cities, including Kenmore and Bothell.
Story
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski secured significant investments in sports and recreation facilities in North King County cities, including Kenmore and Bothell.
“Our community’s kids and adults need places to play and recreate. I continuously hear that current sports and recreation facilities are not adequate to meet today’s demand,” said Dembowski. “These funds will help lower barriers for individuals and families wishing to access our waterways, play lacrosse, or join in on a game of pickleball at the Northshore Senior Center. There is still more work to do, and I am committed to working with community partners and Northshore cities to build additional ballfields, as well as find a location for a new community pool and recreation facility.”
The grants, which will support programs that help both youth and adults become and stay active, include:
• $25,000 for the Northshore Senior Center
• $20,000 for the Kenmore Rowing Club
• $20,000 for the Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center
• $12,500 for the Inglemoor Lacrosse Club
Dembowski presented the $25,000 grant to the Northshore Senior Center’s incoming CEO Nathan Phillips and members of their board on October 7th. In addition to the grant, Dembowski also presented the Center with a “retired County vanpool” 7-passenger Dodge Caravan.
“One of the things I am quickly discovering about the Northshore Senior Center is that its success is made possible by champions in the community—like Councilmember Dembowski—who steer resources and connections to our programs,” said Nathan Phillips, incoming CEO of the Northshore Senior Center. “The grant will go towards the creation of a new outdoor sports court and the van will expand our transportation and meal delivery programs, which is critical at a time when so many of our neighbors are still isolated in their homes.”
The funds secured by Dembowski originate from King County’s Youth and Amateur Sports Grants, which is funded by a 1% tax on rental cars. Beginning in 1993, King County allocated 25% of the car rental tax collected to fund the program, with the remaining 75% of the tax used to service the debt on the former Kingdome. Since the retirement of the Kingdome bonds in 2016, all rental car tax collected are now allocated through the program.
“Kenmore Rowing Club is incredibly appreciative of Councilmember Dembowski for securing these funds. This will allow us to purchase more equipment so we can expand our programming and provide additional options for rowing and sculling at the north end of the lake,” said Allison Anderson, Board Chairperson of the Kenmore Rowing Club. “We are so excited to be able to continue to grow our community rowing program so more people can join us on the water!”
“The Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center is privileged to be recognized as a key provider of hand-powered watersports in our community,” said Sheri Baker, President of the Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center. “This grant money will enable us to continue and grow especially within the youth population. Thank you, Councilmember Dembowski.”
Additional Youth and Amateur Sports Grants fund secured by Dembowski for District 1 include:
• $25,000 for the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance
• $22,500 for the Dale Turner YMCA
• $20,000 for Lake City Seniors
• $25,000 for the Seattle Kraken Foundation
• $20,000 for Sail Sandpoint
Caption: Councilmember Rod Dembowski presenting grant awards from King County’s Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Program, to the Kenmore Rowing Club, the Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center, and the Northshore Senior Center.