Port Angeles council leans toward YMCA site for new swimming pool
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, April 12, 2006
PORT ANGELES — The City Council isn’t ready to dance with the YMCA yet, but its getting up the nerve to ask.
After a short discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting, the council decided it wanted more information on how a public-private partnership would work with the YMCA to operate a new community swimming pool on YMCA property at Francis and Fourth streets.
Council members voted unanimously to have staff work on a draft contract with the YMCA to be presented as soon as possible.
Council members also want city staff to present information on establishing a parks district that might take over operation and funding of parks and recreation facilities in the future.
But the council delayed a formal vote on the site selection until City Councilman Gary Braun could be in attendance.
Braun was absent Tuesday, recuperating from recent surgery.
$12.3 million pool proposed
The city has proposed building a $12.3 million swimming pool with aquatic center features on Peabody Street next to City Hall in what is now a parking lot between Fourth and Fifth streets.
The pool would replace 45-year-old William Shore Memorial Pool.
City officials have proposed funding pool construction with a $12.3 million, 20-year bond issue, which would require a public vote, that would cost the owner of a $150,000 home an estimated $114 a year.
Clallam County Family YMCA has proposed a virtually identical aquatic center-type pool as part of a recreation complex at its headquarters at 302 S. Francis St.
Council favoring ‘Y’ site
Four of six City Council members said they either supported or were leaning toward building a new community swimming pool at the YMCA site.
City Councilman Grant Munro said there’s strong support for a new pool but he’s not sure about support for a bond issue.
Munro said support for either the YMCA or City Hall site seems split.
A well-written contract could ease concerns about the YMCA operating the pool, he said.
