PORT TOWNSEND — Nearly two years after Make Waves! abandoned plans to build an aquatic center in Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park, a group is working to keep the Mountain View Pool, the city’s only public pool, open and accessible.
“After the Make Waves! proposal came to an end, we needed a new group with new visions and new energy,” said Earll Murman, president of the JeffCo Aquatic Coalition, or JAC.
“It will be at least five years until we get a new facility, so [the city pool at Mountain View Commons at 1919 Blaine St.] is what we’ve got, and we want to make the best of it that we can.”
Murman, who was on the Make Waves! board of directors, is the only person on the JAC team who was affiliated with the past effort, which sought to build a $10 million 35,000-square-foot aquatic center on land next to Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park and Jefferson Transit’s Haines Place Park and Ride on 12th Street.
The land, which was then owned by the Port of Port Townsend, was determined to have been preserved for passive recreation only — part of the terms of its transfer to the port — which ruled out the construction of the facility.
Since that time, the port has deeded the 78-acre park to the city in a property swap, with the port taking possession of Union Wharf.
Murman said the main difference between Make Waves! and JAC is that the latter is working to support the current pool.
“The Make Waves! facility could have been open by now and could have replaced this pool while it was repaired,” Murman said.
“We are working with the current pool to develop options but don’t know what they will be just yet.”
Murman said it is not known whether a new facility will be constructed or if the current pool will be further rehabilitated.
With no chosen options, the cost or funding sources can’t be calculated, Murman said.
“We can imagine a lot of different strategies,” Murman said.
“This pool is very good for what is going on here, and we are thrilled that a lot of people are now using the facility.
“We intend to ask the community what it wants. We’d like to listen to the community and then give their vision back to them.”
The pool’s 50th anniversary was celebrated Friday with free swims, water polo, an “orca” wrestling contest, water guns and other activities.
Cake was served, and clips of the swim-themed films of Esther Williams and scenes shot in the Mountain View pool for the 1982 film “An Officer and a Gentleman” were shown.
The pool had been closed for repairs from November 2012 to April. A new pool liner was installed, the air-handling system was replaced, and new lighting was put in.
Murman said recent repairs and upgrades are expected to extend the life of the pool for another 10 years, though sustained funding is still a challenge.
The pool is also in need of an automatic heating system to replace the less-accurate manual equipment now in use, according to pool director Anji Scalf.
“This pool is very good for what is going on here,” Murman said during the celebration Friday.
“But we can make it better.”
For more information about the new aquatics group, visit www.jeffcoaquaticcoalition.org.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
