The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has selected a Chimacum School District property in Port Hadlock as the preferred site for a new aquatic recreation facility.
The decision, made …
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The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has selected a Chimacum School District property in Port Hadlock as the preferred site for a new aquatic recreation facility.
The decision, made at the commissioners meeting on Jan. 27, was necessary to meet site requirements for a Local Community Project funding application due by Feb. 21.
The next steps include the county forming a public facilities district (PFD) to oversee the project and finalizing an interlocal agreement with the school district before the funding application deadline.
Once the PFD is formed, its board members will have the authority to reconsider the location or even cancel the project altogether.
County Commissioner Greg Brotherton cautioned against assuming it was a done deal as other steps remain in the process.
Two potential sites were considered: Chimacum Park and the school district property next to the Jefferson County Library.
While Chimacum Park offers more space and is county-owned, its proximity to the septic system would add significant permitting costs through the Washington State Department of Health, Brotherton said. Major road improvements, including a roundabout estimated at $2 million, would be required.
On the other hand, the school district property is smaller and less visible but has received favorable feedback from the community, he added.
The selection of the property was approved unanimously, with the center slated to be built on the west side of the property, wrote Diane McDade, the president of the Jefferson County Aquatics Coalition.
“This parcel is currently home to the Chimacum Elementary School, its school garden and outdoor playground,” McDade wrote. “The Chimacum School District Board is very excited about working collaboratively with the county and then new PFD to re-imagine this parcel to ensure optimal aquatic facility location, parking, pedestrian and bike paths. They are interested in and improving their playground and garden to new locations.”
The Jefferson County Aquatic Coalition will begin surveying the community for input on Feb. 1.