I have been reading with some interest about the proposal that the YMCA and city of Port Townsend or Jefferson County create a municipal park district to raise funds to build a new swimming pool and recreation center.
I understand that the city has a real problem on its hands with the existing swimming pool and it has been trying for years to devise a solution to its failing infrastructure and the YMCA seems a good organization to operate a pool in our community.
And I suppose the YMCA needs to generate additional revenue in order to make this proposal economically viable for them, thus the addition of a recreation and wellness center.
But, for me, there’s the rub.
We have privately owned and operated exercise and wellness centers in the area, each of which has been in operation for many years without anything like government or taxpayer assistance.
Adding another exercise facility as part of this municipal park district seems to be creating an unfairly unlevel playing field.
And I take great exception to the comment made by Jeff Randall, and quoted in the June 16 edition of the Peninsula Daily News, that “… no business is protected from competition.”
This is not just a competitor. This is a facility that all of us will be required to pay to help build and operate.
Not quite the same as a new startup.
I am opposed.
Steve Moore,
Port Townsend