Only about six months into his tenure, Frank Figg has stepped down from the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center board.

Citing health reasons, Figg announced his resignation by way of a letter in late April, and the board of directors granted his wish in May.

“I was very, very sad to receive that letter,” SARC board president Sue Sorensen said this week. “Frank was such a visionary; he had a good handle on where we needed to go.”

The board plans to discuss how to fill the position at its regularly scheduled meeting at 5 p.m., June 11 at Sequim Bible Church, 847 N. Sequim Ave.

Sorensen said county officials have advised her she may, as board president, appoint a replacement for Figg. She said the board of directors — herself, Melinda Griffith, Annette Kuss and Erika Starks — are accepting applications for the position with no set deadline on when a new board member may step in.

“We want to make sure all this is according to the law,” Sorensen said.

Until then, the board will be missing a member Sorensen said was a valuable voice of the board.

“Frank … (had) no personal agenda; he just wanted to make SARC continue to be the best facility for the community,” she said. “He really had a handle on where we need to be, not only next year but in 10 years. I was very sad, but I support his decision.”

In his resignation letter Figg expressed “deep regret” and cited health reasons for his resignation.

“Even though I have served just a few months in this position, I feel that good progress was being made toward a capital facilities plan and subsequently a business plan for SARC,” Figg wrote.

“I am sad to leave a project unfinished. I also regret leaving a board of commissioners who have been conducting business with careful deliberation and a positive attitude.”