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Dear Seminole Members,
It has been a whirlwind four months since the launch of Seminole 2.1, and we are deeply grateful for the growing engagement, generosity, and enthusiasm from our members and Seminole supporters. We are excited to share an important update on where things stand—and where we still need your help.
While we have not yet secured enough donations and pledges to move forward with the full pool and bathhouse renovation at the same time, we do have more than $3.2 million (including our anticipated bank loan). This allows us to confidently move ahead with taking the next steps for a pool-only phase of construction, with plans to break ground in September 2026. This is a major milestone and an exciting step forward for Seminole! There will be a few important next steps for this to occur including receiving a final bid for the project that is within the scope of the projected costs, securing a bank loan for the portion of the cost that we don’t have through fundraising, and holding a member meeting where we will need an affirmative vote from members to proceed.
This decision to move ahead with a pool-only phase of construction was made thoughtfully, with several important factors in mind. While both the pool and bathhouse require renovation, starting with the pool allows us to move forward now while continuing to fundraise for the bathhouse, which we hope to begin in the fall of 2027. The current Seminole 2.1 plans support a phased build without disrupting the overall layout, and beginning with the pool enables expanded programming, greater open swim access, and progress toward the mission of the 26.5 Foundation. Most importantly, moving ahead now reduces the growing risk of a major mechanical failure in the aging pool system in the interim.
At the same time, it is important to be clear: fundraising is not over. We will continue actively fundraising for the bathhouse phase, which remains a critical and integral part of the overall Seminole 2.1 vision. Continued donations and pledges are essential to ensure the bathhouse renovation can follow as quickly as possible. If you have been waiting to contribute until you knew Seminole 2.1 was truly underway, now is the moment to act. The timing of additional funds may directly impact whether we can complete the full project without extended staging. Multiple recognition opportunities remain available, including fewer than 10 spots left in the 26.5 Club.
Membership support is equally critical. Please renew your membership, encourage friends and neighbors to join, and help us reach full membership capacity this summer. With improvements in management and programming (more to come on this in the coming weeks–stay tuned!), we anticipate a fantastic—and fitting—send-off for our 26.5-meter pool.
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