Originally known as SPLASH (Swimming Pools for Leisure, Active Sports, and Health), since 2017 SPLASHForward has had a renewed and broadened focus advocating for the aquatics needs of all Eastside residents. A 501-(c)(3) organization, SPLASHForward envisions a world where everyone is safe around water and has equitable access to best-in-class aquatic centers that are vibrant places of pride and inclusive for all. 

Dedicated to building the first new comprehensive public Aquatic Center in over 50 years, at Bellevue Airfield Park, SPLASHForward’s designs include a 50-meter training and competition pool, health and fitness facilities, and gathering spaces for the community that will bring together people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The organization supports local initiatives including high school student lifeguard training, water safety, outreach (especially to underserved communities), as well as private partnership and advocacy with local government. 

The timeline for the development of the Aquatic Center is the adoption of the masterplan in 2024--a design phase spanning 2024 and 2025, the securing of funding, solidifying of partnerships, and start of construction through 2025 and 2026, with the opening of the Center in 2026 or 2027. 

Susan Pappalardo, SplashForward’s Board President and Co-Founder, is a lifelong learner and longtime endurance athlete, a masters and open water swimmer, and a former Lake Washington High School and Bellevue Club Swim Team swim parent who is never far from a pool! Through her swimming life she has met many outstanding people of all ages and abilities, inspiring her to co-found SPLASHForward. In an interview with the Bellevue Club, she explains her involvement. “It’s something easy for me because it combines my passions for swimming and athletics with being a community connector," she says. "In the end that’s what it’s all about - connection and community.” 

SPLASHForward recently announced that local swimming hero Piper Enge will serve as an ambassador for the organization in its first NIL partnership supporting greater access to aquatics as well as inclusion. The acronym NIL stands for name, image, and likeness and refers to the rights of student athletes to control and profit from these. As Susan enthuses, “This is such an exciting moment for SPLASHForward to be able to amplify the voice of a local swimmer and role model whose life has been positively impacted through aquatics. We are thrilled that Piper will use her platform to support SPLASHForward’s mission to bring a game changing new public aquatic and health facility to Bellevue. Piper will help us spread the message that aquatic facilities are places where everyone can learn to swim, find community connection, and build their dreams.”

 

Piper swims on the Bellevue Club Swim Team and recently finished her third varsity season swimming for Mercer Island High School. She is a three-time Washington High School State Champion in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard Individual Medley (IM), and the WIAA state record holder in the 100-yard breaststroke (58.95) and 200-yard IM (1:58.13). Nationally in the 17-18 age group, she is the third all-time fastest in the 50-meter breaststroke (30.53) and the 9th all-time fastest in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:07.27). Piper is heading to the USA Swimming Olympic Trials this June to race the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke and 200-meter IM events. She is a 2023 Junior National Champion, 2023 World Junior Championship bronze medalist, and 2024 World Aquatics Championships finalist. In the fall, she will attend the University of Texas, joining the Women’s Swimming and Diving Team. 

"Pools aren’t just about having a place to swim; they’re about building a community, learning dedication to personal goals, and having lots of fun. I'm thankful that I've always had access to aquatics, and swimming has given me so much,” Piper says. “I'm excited to partner with SPLASHForward to help create a world class aquatic facility where our entire community can learn to swim, discover joy in the water, and have the same opportunities I've enjoyed. The biggest opportunities in my life all stem from access to pools and swimming. I am incredibly fortunate that a swimming scholarship to my dream college will allow me to better myself as a student, athlete, and person,” Piper concludes.