The facility will be located in Community Park, near the Maxwelton Road entrance.

June 7, 2024 update from South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District:

Current Status:  For the past six months, as part of receiving bond funding, our district had to go through a multi-month financial audit with the State of Washington.  This was followed by working with Standard and Poor’s to get what is called a Bond Rating.  This is what is currently happening.  We anticipate receiving the first portion of the $27 million from the bond in July 2024.

We are currently at the end of what is called Design Development (DD).   This is where the design input for the Aquatic Recreation Center is being finalized.

Next step, which we anticipate starting in July, is entering into the Contract Document (CD) phase.   This typically is about a 4-6-month phase where the designs are put through the final stages, some permits are secured, etc.

After this, we will go out to bid for the construction of the project.   Once we enter into contract with a builder, we will have a groundbreaking ceremony.

As far as when will the pool be open to the public, we will have a much better timeline for this when we work through the Contract Document phase.

If you would like to talk about the progress, feel free to contact our Director, Brian Tomisser at 360.221.6488.

The facility will be operated and maintained by the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District. 

Yes, once built, this facility will have a cost to operate and maintain that is separate from the construction costs that will be paid with the bonds referenced above.  A portion of these costs will be covered with user fees and rentals.  The remainder will be addressed with a planned supplemental maintenance and operations levy.

This supplemental levy for operations and maintenance will be proposed in 2026, in combination with the regular parks levy.

We anticipate dollar amounts will be similar to other public pool fees, such as in Oak Harbor and Lynnwood.  South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation is raising money for a financial aid program to supplement user fees for low income residents. 

Yes. We plan on using a saline chlorination system.  

• Multipurpose warm learning pool for swim lessons, water safety, physical therapy, water aerobics, water walking, core fitness, and family recreation

• Multipurpose lap pool for lap swim, family swim, swimming lessons, swim teams, vertical exercise, and water safety training

• Multipurpose rooms for community meetings, party rentals, and activities

• Multipurpose fitness area for wellness activities including yoga, Pilates, and dance

• Staff offices for the Park District

South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation is raising private donations for: 

• Financial Aid Fund that will supplement user fees for low income residents 

• All Third Graders Learn to swim program; families will receive this life saving program at no cost

• Capital funding opportunities for additional components not funded elsewhere

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 this Aquatic Recreation Center will be done with clear focus on this principle of environmental stewardship.  Elements of the environmental stewardship plan include:

• Siting the facility in a central location on a transit line

• Developing the site in a responsible manner

• Using sustainable, recyclable building materials

• Building a highly insulated structure

• Choosing high efficiency HVAC systems

• Designing a high efficiency pool heating system

• Including solar in the building design to reduce the carbon footprint of the facility

• Developing wastewater, stormwater systems to recharge aquifers