Girl Scouts of Western Washington and the city of Oak Harbor will jointly present a proposal to the Oak Harbor City Council on March 25 to donate the building in Neil Park to the City of Oak Harbor. This building has served as a meeting space for local Girl Scout troops for nearly seven decades and will continue to be used by Girl Scouts and other community programs.

Tthe Oak Harbor City Council will review the donation agreement submitted by the group and city staff. The agreement includes a five-year use license, allowing Girl Scout troops and volunteers to continue using the space for meetings. Upon the expiration of their lease with the City, Girl Scouts of Western Washington approached the city about donating the building, which is located in a city park. City staff quickly recognized the potential benefits for both organizations.

“This agreement allows Girl Scouts to continue their valuable work in our community while enabling the City to utilize the space for broader purposes,” said Brian Smith, Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation rirector. “Girl Scouts has a rich history of providing education and activities that benefit Oak Harbor’s youth, and the City has been a proud partner in their mission for more than 70 years. With limited community space available, it makes sense for the city to take ownership of the building and its use.”

The long-term future of the building remains under consideration, as the city plans to explore options during the upcoming renovation of Neil Park. For now, the space will continue to serve Girl Scout troops and be available for Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation youth and community programs.

“This space has been a vital part of our program for many years, and we are grateful to the City of Oak Harbor for helping ensure that future generations can continue to participate in skill-building opportunities,” said Andrea Anderson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Washington.