About Friends of the WDAC

Friends of the WDAC

Community patrons and supporters advocating for access, excellence, and long-term sustainability.

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70+ years of community pool access at WDAC

300+ supporters of WDAC and its community programs

$7,000 in 2025 given for deck equipment and lane lines

Who we are

We are 300-plus patrons and supporters of the Warren Daugherty Aquatic Center (WDAC) and its community programs, including exercise classes, swim lessons, independent lap swim and exercise, and family recreation.

We formed in spring 2025 to advocate for WDAC community programs as the City of Cottage Grove faced a budget deficit. With continued and growing city budget pressures, fiscal support for WDAC community programs remains at risk.

In January 2026, our group formalized by signing a fiscal sponsorship agreement with Be Your Best (BYB). As a sponsored project of BYB, Friends of the WDAC has nonprofit status. Learn more about our sponsor below.

WDAC site: South Lane School District - WDAC

Mission

Consistent with the mission of Be Your Best, the purpose of Friends of the WDAC is to promote the health and wellbeing of residents by ensuring the continuing excellence and availability of community programs at the aquatic center.

Objectives

Establish and maintain an association of patrons and supporters of the WDAC.
Advocate for effective partnership between the South Lane School District and the City of Cottage Grove.
Raise funds, provide information, and offer assistance for the benefit of WDAC community programs.
Fund program, equipment, and capital needs outside regular WDAC operational and maintenance expenditures.

Leadership

Steering Committee

Andrew Elliott, Co-Chair
Gail Hemsoth, Co-Chair
Joyce Settelmeyer, Treasurer and BYB Liaison
Stephenie Wheeler, Secretary
Suzanne Huebner-Sannes, Senior Center Liaison
Ellen Bridges, Aqua Exercise Liaison

Advisors

Samantha Duncan, BYB Coordinator
Patrick Russell, CGHS Alumni Liaison

**WDAC exterior** Photo credit: Stephenie Wheeler

Protecting a vital community asset

Just like Cottage Grove community parks, the aquatic center offers affordable, wholesome recreation for residents of all ages (from babies to elders) and socio-economic means. Hundreds of local seniors and families use the WDAC, many of whom have few options.

Why it matters

Swimming and aqua-based exercise supports children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, athletes, seniors, and everyone in between - improving strength, balance, mobility, and overall wellbeing, often with few other exercise options.

**Lap swimmer** Photo credit: Stephenie Wheeler

**Adult exercise class** Photo credit: Joyce Settelmeyer

**Child swimmer** Photo credit: Gail Hemsoth

Senior swimmer with walker and fins — **Senior swimmer** Photo credit: Suzanne Huebner-Sannes

What people say

Selected from WDAC patron and professional testimonials.

Download the testimonials PDF

As a massage therapist, I have experienced for myself how huge of an impact water fitness has on improved mobility...

Swimming is a sport that can last a lifetime.

Therapy pool classes become a place to connect with community, which is good medicine for our mental health.

Friends of the WDAC

Who we are

Mission

Objectives