LANGLEY — The South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District voted 4 to 1 on Monday to ask voters for a $15.2 million bond to pay for the construction of an aquatics and recreation center.
Park Commissioner Allison Tapert was the lone dissenter, voicing her concerns over design issues and revenue figures.
The tax-levy impact will add 17.3 cents per $1,000 of assessed property tax value to property owners’ tax bills over the next 20 years.
A home worth $300,000 will see an added monthly cost of $4.32, or $51.90 per year.
“Based on all our previous surveys, there is strong public sentiment for a facility like this,” said Park Commissioner Matt Simms.
“We will serve seniors, kids, families, swimmers and a wide cross section of the community. A vote is concrete,” he said.
If the measure passes on Nov. 4, the recreation and aquatic center will be built next to the Community Park’s entrance on Maxwelton Road.
The draft plan from ORB Architects includes an outdoor, heated six-lane lap pool, indoor leisure pool with water slide, changing rooms, hot tub, two multi-purpose rooms for parties, offices, a small kitchen, climbing wall, outdoor basketball court and fitness center.
Before the vote, pool supporter Kathy Rogers asked for clarification on timing.
“I’m wondering if, should the levy fail, whether the district would pursue the plan the following year,” she said.
Park Commissioner Jim Porter answered that it all depends on the vote.
“If 80 percent vote no, and only 20 percent vote yes, that will tell us the direction we need to take,” he said. “Our challenge is to educate people about what we’re doing, and why.”
Kurt Johnson told commissioners his perception of the swim community was they haven’t given a clear message to the district.
“If all we can afford at this point is an outdoor pool, let’s do it,” he said. “We want to see this on the ballot.”
Tennis advocate Jim Day reiterated his earlier proposal for three indoor and three lighted outdoor courts.
“The high school courts aren’t available during peak periods and never when it rains,” he said.
He said that adding tennis will expand the number of people who will vote for the bond.
Day added that his group is prepared to put in private money to help build three courts with lights.
Simms replied that the goal was to keep costs down, but that a tennis center is part of Phase III of the master plan.
Day asked about a separate ballot item to cover maintenance and operations.
Park officials, however, said they were considering a separate tax increase at a later date to cover the costs of running the new center.
Based on revised numbers from consultant ORB Architects, the taxpayers will need to subsidize about 35 percent of the maintenance-and-operations bill.
“We will need to add a separate initiative to put 3.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value onto the current park levy,” Simms said.
Today, the park’s maintenance and operations levy is 15 cents per $1,000.
If approved, the November proposal would add $10.50 per year to a home valued at $300,000, or
88 cents a month.
“The long-term M-and-O cost has been a real problem, but at this rate, it’s sustainable,” Simms said. “I believe the center is supportable and these numbers are reasonable.”
There are just 12 weeks before the vote and commissioners agreed that a volunteer effort to educate the public is a key goal.
To that end, they accepted Andy McRea’s offer to spearhead the project.
“I am really excited that we will get to vote on this amazing facility,” McRea said. “I’m sure when people understand the tremendous positive impact that this center will have on the community, they will be willing to vote for it wholeheartedly. I think the biggest challenge that supporters face is letting people know just how easily affordable it will be for the average property owner in the district.
“If you own a property, even in tough times, how hard can it be to save your loose change and come up with $5 a month?” he asked.
Commissioners then expressed their individual reasons for the vote.
“We’ve been good stewards of the taxpayers’ money, building ballfields, supporting the soccer community and making Community Park a wonderful place to visit,” Porter said.
“Now it’s time to move forward, but it’s scary. We’ve examined this project a hundred times, done our due diligence; our charge is to provide recreation for people of all ages, abilities and interests.
“This center will do that. I’m feeling much better; all we can do is present the best scenario and hope people understand what we are trying to do,” he said.
Park Commissioner Don Wood said he was on the fence just a few weeks ago.
“People have been asking me, ‘Why are you waiting?’” he said. “The community deserves this, we have to get it off the ground and I know we can make it work.”
Park Commissioner Linda Kast said she’s optimistic the levy will pass.
“I want to get the center funded, then if we need to re-design within the framework of what money we have, we’ll do it,” she said.
Simms noted that surveys sent to residents over the years essentially said the same thing: We live on an island and my kids can’t swim.
“The rec center will foster a sense of community; we’ve stuffed a lot of assets into that building and there’s something for everyone,” he said. “This is something we need to do.”
Tapert said she supports the idea of a pool, but remained uncomfortable with the revised numbers.
“My concern is that I feel rushed,” she said.
“I want a pool, but I’m not completely sold because the revenue figures are still unclear and I’m not convinced about certain design details, such as an outside basketball court that can’t be used much of the year,” she said.
After the meeting, Brian McCleary said he was pleased by the vote, having grown up in a community with a pool.
“The board meeting gave me hope that finally, and at a very affordable price, my children may soon realize the benefits I was blessed with as a child,” he said. “Benefits that last through adulthood, and beyond.”
