PORT ANGELES — The city is seeking a $750,000 grant to fund an after-school child care facility at the soon-to-be expanded William Shore Memorial Pool in Port Angeles.
A unanimous City Council voted Tuesday to approve a grant application for a state Community Development Block Grant to fund the construction of a 3,500-square foot youth center at the pool at 225 E. Fifth St.
The city is applying for the grant on behalf of the pool district, which is expected to break ground on a $12 million expansion and renovation project next March.
“This pool is the heart of our community,” said longtime City Council member Cherie Kidd, who also serves on the pool board.
“It always has been, and it’s getting better.”
City and William Shore Pool officials agreed Tuesday that there is a growing demand for after-school child care programs in Port Angeles because of recent closures of some private day care centers.
Last year, the pool district partnered with the city to create the Splash, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) Squad program.
The program includes swim lessons, homework assistance, arts and crafts, games, sports and recreation for elementary school children at the pool and the city-owned Vern Burton Community Center next door.
“We’re currently at about 50 kids, and we’re trying to get upwards towards about 75 after our expansion and renovation — and if we get this block grant,” pool Executive Director Steve Burke told the City Council on Tuesday.
No public testimony was received in a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant application.
If approved, all of the money from the grant would be used for construction of an after school facility on the east side of the remodeled aquatic center.
“When we flip the entrance to the other side of our building towards Lincoln Street, we’re going to have some available space on this [east] side that we could actually build some square footage specifically for an after school care program,” Burke said.
“We’ll probably be able to program that during the day when our kids are in school for other activities, but it will be primarily dedicated for the after school care program.
“In order for us to do that, we had to find some grant money to be able to afford to have this square footage,” Burke added.
“We actually fit fairly well into this Community Development Block Grant competitive process.”
A decision on the grant is expected by September, Port Angeles Community and Economic Development Director Nathan West said in a memo.
“There is a community need, and the need is increasing,” Kidd said.
“We have an excellent facility, but now we have an opportunity — as we’re expanding our facility — to put in this special SPARK Squad, which is awesome.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
