The Juneau Assembly is facing a difficult reality: a $10–$12 million budget gap resulting from last fall’s voter-approved sales tax exemption and property tax cap. While these financial challenges are real and hard choices must be made, cuts to our community’s recreational services must be approached with extreme care.

In a community like Juneau, where long winters, challenging weather, and already limited indoor options affect both physical and mental health, our pools are essential, not optional. They provide critical access to exercise, routine, and social connection for residents of all ages.

For seniors, the pools offer one of the safest and most effective ways to remain active. Low-impact aquatic exercise preserves mobility, reduces pain, and supports overall health. Equally important, for many seniors the pool is a primary source of social connection and mental wellbeing.

For children and families, our pools provide lifesaving swim education. Juneau is a community surrounded by water, and early swim instruction is a matter of safety - not recreation. Demand for swim lessons already exceeds capacity. Any cuts to hours or facility closures would further reduce access, increase waitlists, and prevent more children from learning essential water-safety skills in a water-dependent community.

The pools are also essential to programs like Glacier Swim Club (GSC), one of Juneau’s oldest and strongest year-round youth sports organizations, serving nearly 200 youth annually. GSC not only fosters belonging, discipline, and resilience in Juneau’s youth, but also shapes them into engaged community members, strengthening our community for generations.

Beyond individual programs, these facilities are key to retaining and attracting young families. Safe, affordable recreation is a major factor in whether families choose to stay in Juneau. Weakening Parks & Recreation amenities sends the wrong message about our community’s priorities, and the long-term cost to our community far outweighs any short-term budget savings.

Signing this petition is only a first step! We encourage everyone who feels passionate about protecting our community’s recreational facilities to take further action, as outlined below.

Take Action:

• Spread the Word: Email and text the petition to friends who value Juneau’s recreational facilities.
• Post the Petition: Share it on your personal Facebook and Instagram pages and ask your Juneau friends to sign.
• Email the Assembly: Send a message to BoroughAssembly@juneau.gov explaining why saving our pools (and other recreational facilities) matters to you, your family and our community. 
• Mark your Calendar: Wednesday, April 29th at 5:30PM is the next public meeting, a critical moment for our voices to be heard.
• Show up Strong: Sign up to speak or stand in support of those who do.

Meeting Information: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 @ 5:30pm: SPECIAL ASSEMBLY MEETING 2026-09

• Contact  CBJ Assembly Members before the meeting
• Request to comment remotely by calling 907-586-5278 before 4pm on April 29
• Attend in person: 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, AK 99801(Public comment on non-agenda items is at the start of the 5:30 meeting.)
• Attend remotely: Zoom Meeting or 1-253-215-8782 Webinar ID: 939 1791 5176 (Public comment on non-agenda items is at the start of the 5:30 meeting.)