South Whidbey
Aquatic Recreation Center
THE POOL BOND PASSED NOVEMBER 2023
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Facility & Location
The planned facility will include:
Community pool - 25 yards long with 6 lanes for lap swimming, learn to swim, family swim, competition, swim teams and more
Teaching pool with lazy river for aquatic fitness, swim lessons, physical therapy, water walking, family fun
Hot tub and sauna
Multipurpose rooms for parties, meetings, exercise and yoga classes
State-of-the-art HVAC and water filtration systems.
Salt water chlorination system
Natural light and walls of glass opening to an outside patio creating an indoor/outdoor feel
Coffee and snack bar station
Parks District offices
Location
Chosen site is at the entrance to the Community Park, on Maxwelton Road.
Why this location?:
Centrally located between population centers in Freeland, Clinton and Langley
On an Island Transit route
Near public schools
Close proximity to the highway
Land already owned by SW Parks District
Stakeholders
Our project is supported by a multitude of local organizations, businesses, politicians, and government bodies. Here are some of our supporters:
State Representative, Dave Paul
State Representative, Clyde Shavers
State Senator, Ron Muzzall
South Whidbey School District
Langley City Council
North Whidbey Pool, Park and Recreation District
Port of South Whidbey
Island County Economic Development Council
Melanie Bacon, District 1 Island County Commissioner
South Whidbey Commons
South Whidbey Youth Connection
Whidbey Island Kayaking
Island Senior Resources
South Whidbey Youth Soccer Club
Masters and youth swim team coach
Island County Board of Health
Environmental Stewardship
In August 2023 our project was awarded a $100,000 grant to incorporate solar with storage (battery back up) into facility design.
This grant is sponsored by the Washington State Dept of Commerce as part of the new Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program.
Under this program, the Aquatic Recreation Center will provide essential services to the community during emergencies and when the power goes out.
The current funding is for Track 1, intended for planning and design. But this also puts our project in position to apply for Track 2 which covers the costs of purchase and installation.
Project Priority
One of the guiding principles for South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District operations is to develop, operate, and maintain the parks system in an environmentally responsible manner. The design, construction, and operation of the aquatic wellness center will be
done with clear focus on this principle of environmental stewardship.
Strategies
• Site Location/Access to Transit
• Passive Solar Design
• PV Solar panels
• EV car charging
• Stormwater Management
• High Efficiency Pool Heating
• UV Sanitizers
• High Efficiency Water Filters (potential to save 300,000 gallons water annually compared to conventional sand filters)
• Low flow fixtures
• Sunscreen & high efficiency windows
• Sustainable Materials
• Acoustics & Sound Dampening
• Resilient Power System *(enables facility to function as part of Island County Emergency Management Plan)
Aquatic Programming
Something for All Ages
FITNESS/RECREATION
Lap Swimming
Family Swim
Aquatic Fitness
ADA outdoor walking track
High School Swim Team
Youth Swim Clubs
Masters Swim Team
Triathlon Training
Special needs wellness and fitness
COMMUNITY
Birthday Parties
Exercise classes
Community meetings and events
After-School programs
Summer Day Camp
Specialized Sports Camps
Robotics
Canoe/kayak classes
Scuba diving instruction
Stand Up Paddle-board lessons
SAFETY
Learn to Swim
Lifeguard training
Boater Safety
General Water Safety Education
HEALTH
All the above for improved physical and mental health
Therapy and Rehabilitative Services
Status & Timeline
2019 - 2020
Completed research:
visited neighboring facilities
interviewed managers of aquatic centers with similar demographics
collected feedback from national organizations/consultants
attended a national pool building conference.
Developed a preliminary plan that incorporates state of the art and energy efficient equipment, environmentally friendly building materials, and incorporates diverse programming.
Selected a site located on land owned by the Parks District.
Funded a septic and wastewater feasibility study.
Raised money to fund a professional feasibility study.
2021
Hired consulting group to execute feasibility study.
Hired Ballard*King and Associates with assistance from Patano Architecture and Aquatic Design Group
Community survey completed
Market analysis portion of feasibility study confirmed an aquatic facility is feasible
Pending
Operational plan (programming, revenue and cost projections)
ROM (rough order of magnitude) costing estimate
Artistic rendering
Public meetings
Large Onsite Sewage System (LOSS) planning: Hamer Environmental completed critical areas and wetland report of proposed site
Fundraising.
Ongoing investigation into private, public grants, and government appropriations.
Hired Linda Kaye Briggs for fundraising feasibility study.
2022
Ballard*King and Associates feasibility completed.
Awarded $400,000 from the state supplemental budget.
Selecting architectural/engineering firms to move ahead with facility design.
Completing fundraising feasibility study with Linda Kaye Briggs of The Briggs Group.
Ongoing investigation into private, public grants, and government appropriations.
Selected local architectural firm, Architect Resource Collaborative (ARC) to lead a team of engineers, aquatic experts and cost estimators to design the facility.
2023
Awarded $350,000 from state budget. (2022 and 2023 awards total $750,000)
Voter education campaign
Ongoing planning and design by ARC and team.
Private capital campaign
Public meetings #1 and #2
Public bond measure November 2023
2024
Public and private grant and fundraising campaigns
Public meetings #3 and #4
Issue bid documents
Award project
2025
Construction starts early 2025
Summer 2026
Opening Day!
Community Surveys
2019 survery: Over 80% express support for a public aquatic center.
2022 survey: 75% said they would be frequent users of a pool
2022 survey: 90% interested in aquatic therapy
As part of a feasibility study, Ballard*King and Associates completed a survey with more than 1700 responses. Read more details about the survey here.