SEQUIM — Both candidates for a seat on the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center’s board of directors said Tuesday that the center should continue to operate without tax revenue, but that the fitness facility also could offer more to the community.

Terry Smithton and David McArthur are competing for Position 2 on the SARC board and spoke at a League of Women Voters forum in Sequim.

Position 1 is also on the Nov. 8 ballot, but incumbent Susan Sorensen is running unopposed.

“I think SARC is one of the most important facilities we have here,” said McArthur, adding that the recreation center’s existence figured into his decision when he moved here 12 years ago.

Smithton also sang SARC’s praises, saying the center was instrumental in a recent weight-loss program she embarked upon.

Future debated

They differed in some ways, however, when they talked about what SARC should do in the future.

Smithton, who owns a Port Angeles bookstore, said the center should extend the hours it is open, especially on weekends.

She also proposed a monthly billing program for the annual membership fee and said more needs to be done to attract youngsters.

“Right now, to the youth of our community, it’s not cool to belong to SARC,” she said.

“I think the middle years of the children are not being addressed as well as they could be.”