Plans for the interior of a proposed aquatic facility are starting to take shape and color.

In 2023, voters approved a $27 million bond for the South Whidbey Aquatic Recreational Center, which will be owned and operated by the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District.

During a meeting last week, Brian Tomisser, the district’s executive director, told board commissioners that he is waiting on permits with Island County and the state and working on a preliminary budget to prepare for an upcoming levy for the facility. If all goes according to plan, the project will go out to bid in late May or early June and could potentially break ground as soon as this fall. The pool is expected to open late 2026 or early 2027.

Tomisser presented some concept drawings of the building’s interior to gather feedback from the commissioners on structural finishes. Some expressed concern about the material in the lobby getting scuffed but liked the warmth of the wood. No one was a fan of the green carpet, which one commissioner likened to algae.

Commissioner Erik Jokinen said the indoor forest theme might be more suitable for a building in downtown Seattle. In comparison, people can simply look out the windows and see real trees all around on South Whidbey.

The commissioners contemplated the inclusion of an arch in the locker rooms, which is not a cost savings or extra expense. They decided to go with it, with Commissioner Jennifer Cox saying it was more architecturally interesting.

The fitness room, Tomisser explained, lacks windows but could be added if the two party rooms are cut from the final design. In that case, the fitness room would become a multipurpose room.

Commissioner Krista Loercher said the current color palette with its bright turquoise reminded her of “Miami Vice,” and not in a nostalgic way.

Discussions on the pool’s design will continue.