Consultants for the city of Port Townsend presented a preliminary look at the price tag for a new pool and rec center last week.

Early cost estimates for a new city pool building range from $37.6 million to $52.7 million.

Opsis, the Portland, Oregon-based consultant firm that was hired by the city earlier this year to put together a feasibility study for the proposed “Healthier Together” recreation center, presented potential designs for the new building and a breakdown of costs for three options during open houses late last week.

The estimated costs for the four options are preliminary.

They range from a 34,000-square-foot facility on one end to a building 53,700 square feet in size on the other end of the spectrum.

Total project costs range from $37.6 million for the base option; the 34,000-square-foot center. That estimate includes
$15.7 million for building construction and $3.9 million for site work. Contingency and soft costs make up the remainder of the $37.6 million price tag.

Option A is for a 40,500-square-foot facility.

The total project cost was estimated at $41.3 million, with construction costs totaling $30.6 million.

Option B is for a 45,500-square-foot facility.

The total project cost was estimated at $44.7 million, with construction costs totaling $33.1 million.

Option C is for a 53,700-square-foot facility, or a “full build out” of the project.

The total project cost was estimated at $52.7 million, with construction costs totaling $39 million.

According to public feedback at the first open house for the project, Mountain View Commons was the preferred site for the new recreation center.

The city’s consultants have said the 3.9-acre site would accommodate the facility’s building footprint as well as parking.

An early site plan shows the facility being built on the Mountain View Campus south of the existing pool, on top of the existing dog park, and extending to the boundary of the ReCyclery.

Community feedback so far indicates a preference for a six-lane, competition lap pool, followed by a warm water recreation pool.

Others also wanted a children’s play area, sauna, and whirlpool.

A site diagram for the $37.6 million base plan include a natatorium that would feature a lap/competition pool and a recreation pool, as well as a childcare/child watch room, birthday party room, classroom and teaching kitchen, locker room and changing rooms, administrative offices, and dry sauna.

Under Option A, the 40,500-square-foot building would include a cardio-weight fitness room and multi-purpose group exercise room.

Under Option B, a space for physical therapy would expand the size of the facility to 45,500 square feet.

The largest scenario, Option C, would include a gymnasium in a building that’s 54,700 square feet in size.

Opsis also presented estimates on how much the facility would cost to run each year, and the size of the subsidy from Port Townsend that would be needed to pay for annual costs.

Those operational costs were built on estimates of potential revenue from the new rec and pool center, with revenues ranging from $520,000 in the base option to $1.8 million with the full buildout proposal.

Expenses would range from $1.26 million annually for the base option, to $2.4 million a year for the full buildout scenario.

City subsidies would range from $750,000 annually for the base option, to $620,000 for the full buildout.

According to last week’s presentation at the open house, the city’s consultants will consider public feedback as work continues to develop a plan for operations and financing.

A final open house is planned for July 12 and
July 13.