The City of Waterloo has a long history of racial disparities receiving national coverage as the Worst Place in America for African Americans. For decades the Northeast side of Waterloo has been an economic desert with very little investment private or public as compared to the Southwest side of town. Historically Blacks and other people of color were segregated to the Northeast side. The impact of this segregation still affects us today.

Gates Swimming Pool is one of the very few resources that we have on this side of town. Removing this resource will add to the disenfranchisement we face each day. We have to travel across town for nearly everything. How do we prove to private developers that investing in us is a viable option if the City doesn't feel that we are viable? It is time that the City leads by example and do what's right.

We, the taxpaying citizens of Waterloo, want Gates Swimming Pool to reopen immediately. We want improvements and enhancements to make it an attractive destination. We want input on this development and future programming.

We want the same respect that the Southwest side receives.