PORT TOWNSEND — The Fort Worden Public Development Authority’s Glamping Project is on its way to opening for its inaugural season.
Officials tentatively hope to have the luxury campsites open for reservations in June.
The approximately $2 million luxury campsite project has been in development since 2015. The Public Development Authority (PDA) approved of a $2 million bond with Kitsap Bank to begin construction in June 2019.
Nineteen tent structures are being built; 15 of the tents will have electricity, water and sewage including a toilet, sink and shower, and will be heated by electric heaters, said David Robison, PDA executive director.
In addition the area will offer four rustic tents without bathrooms, and one central gathering structure with bathrooms.
Fort Worden facility workers prepare the foundation of another glamping tent location. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
“These tents should last ten years,” Robison said. “It’s coming together.”
Once the tents are open, Robison expects the rental season to be between April and October.
“But we’ll have the flexibility to open it sooner depending on weather,” he said.
The PDA is conducting a market study to determine the best per night rate for rent. Robison estimated the cost would be between $169 to $199.
Construction of the tents has been a tag-team effort. Nordland Construction won a $650,000 contract to install the water and sewer infrastructure for the sites. Fort Worden’s facility team has been managing the construction of the foundation and tents. And a separate contractor has been connecting the build sites to the infrastructure built by Nordland, Robison said.
Robison hopes that the new attraction will draw more people to the historic park.
“It really enhances the portfolio of overnight accommodations,” Robison said. “It should attract new clientele and become an important part of our financial sustainability.
“What glamping does is essentially gives us one-bedroom units to rent.”
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
Members of the Friends of Fort Worden, the Fort Worden Public Development Authority and the Fort Worden Coordinating Committee tour one of the glamping tents that is still under construction. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
