South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District may soon partner with the South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation and Whidbey General Hospital to establish a recreation center complete with a pool and physical therapy unit.

The center plans are a revamped version of those turned down by voters in 2008. The 2008 bond measure requested $15.2 million for a 50,000 square foot facility.

The district began re-imagining their concept in early 2013, and involved the South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation later that year. The concept developed and would cost an estimated $3.7 million for a project of approximately half the size.

The new design plans state that the center would still be largely focused on aquatic recreation, and would most likely feature three pools: one for community and recreational use, one for teaching and wellness and another, smaller and warmer pool for therapy.

Commissioner Matt Simms and Director Doug Coutts recently began discussing the concept with Whidbey General Hospital.

At a business meeting Wednesday evening, Simms notified commissioners he and Director Doug Coutts had recently met with Whidbey General Hospital staff. Simms reported that with Whidbey General’s new CEO Geri Forbes at the helm the hospital is looking to rebrand as more of a “wellness center.” As a part of that rebranding, he said, they would like to expand their South End presence.

Coutts said there are several options to explore pertaining to the hospital’s involvement. The hospital and parks and recreation district could, for example, establish a Memorandum of Understanding or the hospital could lease space for physical therapy usage.

Coutts emphasized that the center is still in a “concept stage” though Simms noted that the hospital expressed “strong interest” in the project.

Simms and Coutts will meet with the hospital again in June.