PORT ANGELES — The City Council’s lone dissenter will offer an alternative plan if voters reject the $13.8 million aquatic center bond issue on the general election ballot.
“I have nothing against the YMCA but I’m looking at what we can afford and what the public is willing to pay for,” said City Councilman Gary Braun.
“After serving on the swimming pool renovation committee, I think we need to go back to square one and refurbish the existing swimming pool for a lot less,” he said.
The Oct. 19-Nov. 7 general election ballot for city residents includes a $13.8 million, 20-year bond issue to build an aquatic center and leave space for a future indoor soccer and tennis building at the Clallam County Family YMCA site at 302 S. Francis St.
The design includes a 51,447-square-foot building with spectator seating for 160 people plus a pool deck and 400 lockers.
It has 2,130 square feet of lap swimming space in six 25-meter lanes and 4,800 square feet of leisure pool space in three 25-meter lanes plus a diving area.
It also has an irregular-shaped leisure pool, a spa pool, a dry training room, deck circulation and sitting areas, a family patio area and a mezzanine viewing area.
The bond issue will require a 60 percent “yes” vote to pass and a turnout of at least 40 percent of the voters in the last city election to be validated.
No organized opposition to the bond issue has surfaced but campaign supporters at speaking engagements have encountered questions about such issues as the project’s cost, scope and YMCA involvement.
Braun said he wants the city to buy property north of the existing William Shore Memorial Pool.
Then the city could increase the project “footprint” for refurbishing the pool, which would allow room for the slides and other features in the proposed aquatic center, he said.
In addition to having a larger, less expensive swimming pool on city property, there also would be room for a City Hall annex and additional parking, Braun said.
