PORT TOWNSEND — In a major plunge forward, the citizens group Make Waves! and Port of Port Townsend commissioners agreed Monday to a letter of intent, allowing the group with 2,300 supporters to design and raise capital for a proposed $10 million aquatic, fitness and recreation center on a port-owned site at Kah Tai Nature Park.
“We’re dedicated to it being affordable and accessible to all people in Jefferson County,” said Karen Nelson of Make Waves!, just before signing the letter after the three port commissioners unanimously approved the agreement during their regular meeting.
Values to be respected
Nelson stressed that the nature park’s values would be respected, and the facility’s grounds would be landscaped with natural vegetation, addressing past protests from Admiralty Audubon representatives who want the park to remain in its natural state.
The site adjoins Jefferson Transit’s Haines Place Park and Ride, the Port Townsend hub of the county’s bus system, which officials have said is vital to achieving the goal of countywide accessibility to the aquatic center.
Make Waves! has until July 31, 2017, to build the facility, with the port agreeing to reserve the site for the project.
Functions delineated
The port commissioners will review the Make Waves! project design, and the city will handle the building permit process under the agreement.
Port Executive Director Larry Crockett said the port already has met with Jefferson Land Trust representatives to create an easement that would protect the rest of the 20-acre Kah Tai park from further development “in perpetuity.”
Make Waves! is an all-volunteer, nonprofit citizens organization dedicated to creating a new public pool and workout facility near Kah Tai.
Most recently, Make Waves! has been raising money through bingo nights at the Hilltop Tavern in Port Townsend.
Pool replacement
The proposed 40,000-square-foot complex would replace the existing Port Townsend swimming pool at Mountain View Commons, formerly Mountain View Elementary School, at Blaine and Walker streets.
That pool is only 20 yards long, while an official lap pool proposed for the new aquatic center would be either 25 or 50 yards long.
Make Waves! was created in 2007 to address the issue of the aging Mountain View pool, which is nearing the end of its life, and how best to replace that much-used substandard facility.
The city, which has operated the pool under an agreement with Port Townsend School District, has agreed to keep the facility open to the public while a new aquatic facility is built.
Beck’s finale
Departing Port of Port Townsend Commissioner Herb Beck of Quilcene on Monday insisted on voting for the aquatic center location, saying the site at 12th and Haines streets was “in a good position for the whole county to use. I think it’s a great project.”
Port Commissioner John Collins also voiced support for the project but wondered if it would require the port to revisit and change its comprehensive plan scheme.
Crockett said that was not the case because Kah Tai park has always been designated for “park and recreation” uses and was not actually a “nature park,” as it is called.
Crockett said the port’s long-term goal was to “protect the Kah Tai.”
Port Townsend resident Jim Todd said protecting it as a “nature park” was “important to a lot of us.”
Admiralty Audubon Conservation Chair George Yount asked if his group could also be considered for preserving the park.
Crockett said Jefferson Land Trust was being considered first because of its proven record with conservation easements throughout the county.
The proposal will now go before the Port Townsend City Council, with the city’s lease of the port parkland ending in 2012.
Transit review
Also, Jefferson Transit Authority will need to consider authorizing the use of the parking lot at the Park and Ride. Make Waves! has proposed using the more than 200-space lot as public parking for the aquatic center.
Initial plans for the aquatic center include a recreational center housing both a pool and a workout facility.
Nelson said Make Waves! can now move ahead on hiring an architect to draw up plans for the center, which can then be used to sell the project to potential donors.
“The letter of intent is a major step, following up on feasibility studies conducted for Make Waves! that show the Jefferson County area underserved by health and recreation facilities and that operations of the new center would be self-sustaining from user fees if located a the Kah Tai/transit hub site,” a Make Waves! news release stated.
“Agreement on the site will enable Make Waves! to proceed with conceptual drawings, generation of a construction budget, architect selection and fund raising.”
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
