In these tough economic times, everyone’s feeling the pinch and the park district is no exception.
Since the election last November when its request for $15.2 million to pay for a recreation center and pool was defeated at the ballot box, the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District has been casting about for a single site to house the many programming activities the district offers.
One concept proposed by park staff is a new building on park property paid for with the $170,000 in maintenance-and-operations dollars left from last year’s budget. There will be another $130,000 available in the budget for 2009.
But on Wednesday, Park Commissioner Jim Porter threw a wet blanket over the discussion.
“I’m a little concerned about using M&O money for a capital project,” he said. “We need to pass another levy in 11 months and with the economy so uncertain, maybe it’s best to keep that money in reserve.”
Park Commissioner Linda Kast agreed, asking how the public would feel if the money were spent on a building, no matter how badly it was needed.
But Park Commissioner Matt Simms had a different thought, noting the many local contractors the district has employed while upgrading park facilities over the winter.
“I think if we have money to spend, it makes sense to build something, bringing jobs to local businesses,” Simms said. “We have no idea today how people will react to an extension of the levy; is it better to spend 15 cents (the current tax levied on
$1,000 of assessed property value) to provide jobs, or is it wiser to not raise taxes?”
Porter said the district must keep the public in mind, regardless of the solution that’s found.
“We want to be honest and fair with the taxpayers, whatever decision is made,” he said. “We have a solid history of being good stewards of their money.”
Last year, programming activities generated $132,000 to the district. Program director Carrie Monforte said more could come in if the district had a designated space for activities.
The building that park staff envisions would have, at a minimum, a large multi-use area with bathrooms, plenty of storage and easy access.
Options range from a 2,500-square-foot building at the entrance to Community Park to a steel shed near the upper soccer field.
Simms recommended looking at ways to partner with underused private or public facilities, such as South End privately-owned swimming pools, where the park can expand offerings without constructing a new facility.
That prompted director Terri Arnold to bring up Bayview Community Hall.
She asked for, and received, permission to get in touch with the hall’s board of directors.
“If we took over the hall’s management, we could meet Carrie’s program needs and provide a service to the community,” she said. “There’s lots of parking, easy access and it’s near the buses,” she said. “But it needs some work. It’s been in a state of disrepair for a long time.”
Built in 1928, the hall is owned by the residents of South Whidbey and stays alive financially through the efforts of volunteers, donations and rental fees from events like dances and parties; the annual maintenance costs run about $18,000. Upgrades are needed on bathrooms, the furnace, current code work, acoustics, insulation and ventilation.
Tom Trimbath, a member of the board that oversees Bayview Hall, said he was intrigued by the park district’s suggestion.
“It does sound like a workable plan because right now there’s no designated revenue stream,” Trimbath said. “It would seem the idea of two public entities working together would mesh well.”
