SEQUIM — Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center commissioners decided last year not to renew a contract with the local Boys and Girls Club that allowed a club-sponsored swim team to use the center’s pool in the afternoons.
The decision set off a firestorm of criticism.
The critics are still there, and the issue has returned in the race for Position 1 on the recreation center board.
Louie Rychlik, 63, owner of Louie’s Well Drilling, has filed as a write-in candidate against incumbent Susan Sorensen, and he’s hitting one issue — the swim team.
His campaign includes signs now up in Sequim stating, “Discrimination: SARC against kids” and “A vote for Louie Rychlik is a vote for the kids.”
“As far as they’re concerned, they want to fill that pool with concrete for an exercise room for old folks,” said Rychlik, whose grandson was on the swim team.
Sorensen, meanwhile, said children are welcome at the recreation center and use it frequently, and added that a free program of swim lessons for Sequim second-graders will start soon.
Furthermore, the decision regarding the Boys and Girls Club swim team opened the pool to use by a larger group of youths, she said.
“There seems to be a nucleus of people who won’t let it die,” Sorensen said.
“It’s unfortunate.
“If you go to SARC after school or in the summer, it’s packed with kids.”
Also on the ballot is SARC Position 3. David McArthur and Terry Smithton are competing for that spot.