Citizens group envisions $10 million aquatic center for Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND — It could cost at least $10 million to build the kind of aquatic recreation center that suits Jefferson County’s needs, a grass-roots group floating the proposal contends.

Funding for the project would be raised privately and through grants to avoid going to voters to form a recreation district, said Harriet Capron, board secretary with the group Make Waves!

“We just think we’re going to skip the failure part and just go to private donors,” said Capron, addressing about 60 attending Monday’s Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Fort Worden State Park.

With Port Townsend School District going to the voters for a multimillion-dollar bond issue to improve its educational facility, Capron said the group’s members believe it would be voter overload to consider a pool vote.

The group has looked at six sites in and around Port Townsend and has one in mind right now, she said, adding that she could not elaborate for fear the property’s price would go up as a result.

More in News

Cities, counties approve tax hikes

State law allows annual 1 percent increase

Health officer: Respiratory illnesses low on Peninsula

Berry says cases are beginning to rise regionally

A puppy named Captain Kirk is getting ready for adoption by Welfare for Animals Guild after it was rescued near Kirk Road. An unsecured makeshift kennel fell out of a truck on U.S. Highway 101 last month and was struck by another vehicle. (Welfare for Animals Guild)
Puppy rescued from wreck to be adopted

A puppy named Captain Kirk is about to boldly go… Continue reading

Festival of Trees raises record $231,000

The 34th annual Festival of Trees, produced by the… Continue reading

Man flown to hospital after single-car collision

A 67-year-old man was flown to an Everett hospital after… Continue reading

Lost Mountain Station 36 at 40 Texas Valley Road recently sold to a neighbor after Clallam County Fire District 3 was unable to recruit volunteers to staff the station. Its proceeds will go toward future construction of a new Carlsborg Station 33. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
District sells one fire station

Commissioners approve 2025 budget

Clallam County Master Gardener Gordon Clark cuts leaves off Isobel Johnston’s agave plant that she had been growing for 28-plus years. She specifically requested Master Gardeners help her remove the plant while keeping at least one for years to come. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Master Gardeners help remove agave plant on Fifth Avenue

Several baby plants uncovered below large leaves

Harvey Hochstetter tosses a box of food to Cameron Needham to stack with fellow volunteers like Bill Needham, right, for the Sequim Food Bank’s Holiday Meal Bag Distribution event. Cameron, his father Ty and grandfather Bill were three generations helping the program. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim Thanksgiving program helps 1,200 families

About 30 volunteers pack holiday boxes

Security exercise set at Indian Island

Naval Magazine Indian Island will conduct a security training… Continue reading

Operations scheduled at Bentinck range this week

Training at the land-based demolition range on Bentinck Island… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading