PORT TOWNSEND — Recreational options in Port Townsend could increase if a newly formed organization reaches its goals of providing what it calls “community-based programming.”
The Community Arts and Recreation Alliance — or CARA — is in the process of establishing its nonprofit status and hopes to begin offering classes in January, board member Martha Worthley said.
The new group aims to fill a gap between what the Jefferson County Family YMCA offers and what Port Townsend needs, Worthley said.
CARA hopes to provide artistic-based instruction, Worthley said, offering classes in cooking and folk arts, among others.
The Jefferson County YMCA — which is a branch of the Clallam County Family YMCA, based in Port Angeles — is best-known for its athletic programs.
It also offers youth programs in music, art, theater, cooking, gardening and carpentry.
CARA is governed by a 10-member board that includes Bill Kush, who resigned from the YMCA in June after running it since the Jefferson County branch formed in 2002. Kush was not available for comment for this story.
The new group wants to offer classes at the Mountain View Commons, 1919 Blaine St., where the YMCA is based, and plans to seek funding from the city of Port Townsend, which allocated $138,000 to the YMCA for 2010.
Day-care program
Worthley said that CARA probably will not focus on athletic programs.
She said the group plans to offer a day-care program that would compete with that offered by the YMCA.
“We think that people will want to support a local day-care program,” she said.
“The money that we charge for day-care services will stay here and won’t go anywhere else. All the fees will stay in Port Townsend.”
YMCA Chief Executive Officer Kyle Kronk of Port Angeles, who runs programs for both Jefferson and Clallam Counties, said he welcomes new recreational options in Jefferson County.
He said there may be ways in which the two organizations can complement each other’s programs.
Kronk said the local YMCA “is one organization with two different branches” and he does not see a difference between the recreational needs of Clallam and Jefferson counties.
“We want to offer programs that promote development and offer positive adult reinforcement,” he said.
Worthley said CARA has much to determine, including programming, scheduling and content.
Courses and programs would include “whatever is best for the kids,” she said.
$250,000 annually
According to a preliminary budget, CARA will need about $250,000 to operate its programs at an adequate level and cover rent, two or three full-time positions, office expenses and instructor fees.
How much of this revenue would come from course fees, from the city or other sources has not been determined.
The YMCA has not yet determined its requests for 2011, Kronk said.
City funding is not at a surplus, City Manager David Timmons said, and programs funded in 2010 have no guarantee of support in 2011.
The city often pursues grant opportunities in reaction to specific fund requests and these could be used to support programs, he added.
Every proposal is judged on its merit, Timmons said.
“We will evaluate each program as it is presented to us.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
