Results are in, and most households responding to the Jefferson County Aquatic Recreation Survey showed support for a new aquatic facility.

Of the 2,591 individual respondents representing 5,898 people in their households — considered 18% of the county population based on two people per household — 55% rated having a new public aquatic facility as “very important,” while an additional 20% rated it “somewhat important.” 

The nonprofit JeffCo Aquatic Coalition (JAC) teamed with the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners to sponsor and fund the countywide survey. Port Townsend contributed to the Healthier Together Initiative, which includes the JAC. That includes $30,000 for the initial planning efforts for a new aquatic and wellness center, according to the executed Healthier Together agreement approved in 2022. 

The survey, which ran from Feb. 1 to March 31, aimed to understand the current use of aquatic facilities in the county and gather data on what the county’s population wants from a public aquatic facility. 

It was published and advertised after the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners selected a Port Hadlock property near the county library at Chimacum Creek Primary School as the preferred site. 

A series of statements with ranked voting were included, as well as an opportunity for respondents to speak freely. A majority of respondents live in Port Townsend. 

“We had a strong response rate from nearly every community in the county,” wrote the JAC in an update. “Thank you to everyone who participated in making the survey such a big success.” 

Responses indicated that while 51.7% of respondents or someone in their household used an aquatic facility in the last two years, 68% of swimmers leave the county to find a pool with programs or amenities of their liking. 

Regarding what they want from an aquatic facility, respondents said they would most likely utilize a hot tub, a sauna and open swim time. Sports leagues, adult lessons, lifeguard training and synchronized swimming were ranked lowest for potential participation. 

When asked about a 0.2% countywide sales tax, excluding groceries and prescriptions, to fund the project, 61.5% of respondents said they would support the tax, while 27.5% said they would oppose it. Eleven percent said they needed more information.

In an analysis of respondent sentiments, the JAC said 40% were positive, 35% were negative and 25% were neutral. 

Positive comments reflected support for the project, with many expressing enthusiasm about the pool providing a “much-needed recreational space.” Negative comments expressed skepticism, opposition to a sales tax increase and concerns that “the financial burden will disproportionately affect lower-income residents.”

Now that the survey has concluded, next steps include the county forming a public facilities district (PFD) to oversee the project and finalizing an interlocal agreement with the school district. 

Once formed, PFD board members can reconsider the location or cancel the project altogether. 

A public hearing to form the PFD will be held on April 14 at 2:30 p.m. during the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners meeting.