The first steps are in place following the Olympic Peninsula YMCA’s feasibility study to reopen SARC.
On Monday night, Sequim city councilors unanimously endorsed state economic opportunity funds going to the center and they approved a contract with the YMCA to support low-income memberships.
SARC’s board of commissioners applied for a grant through the Clallam Economic Development Corporation earlier this year for $760,500 to replace the pool’s failing Natatorium HVAC system.
Councilor Ted Miller said he strongly supports the motion because “it’s one of the best uses for economic fund dollars.”
However, councilors Dennis Smith and Laura Dubois expressed their desire that Clallam County commissioners would step up their support in the future.
Prior, Clallam County commissioner-elect Mark Ozias told city councilors he supports the contracts with SARC.
“I believe if SARC is going to be successful over the longterm, it’ll take a regional approach and cooperation between multiple entities,” he said. “When I’m sworn in as county commissioner, I’ll do what I can to provide leadership at the county level to make sure the county is doing its part to help come up with a longterm and permanent solution for SARC.”
To further discuss the proposed capital project grant, SARC board members are meeting with EDC officials at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 18, at the corporation’s meeting location in Room 208, 905 W. Ninth St.
At the meeting Frank Pickering, SARC Board of Commissioners chairman, will present on the future plans and draft sustainable budget underway for SARC, as well as the number of jobs reopening the facility is estimated to provide.
Additionally, Pickering will discuss the interest from Olympic Medical Center toward expanding its services via potentially leasing space within SARC.
As possible partners, OMC and YMCA officials walked through SARC last week to identify the available space and discuss the different needs, Sherry Nagel, SARC vice chairman, said.
“So far everything is moving forward with the school, OMC, city and county,” Nagel said. “We’re looking pretty good.”
Beyond the development of community partnerships, Pickering said three things need to happen to keep all efforts moving ahead. Needed factors include the county’s approval of the capital project grant, agreement between the YMCA and SARC boards on a sustainable budget and the two boards’ ability to agree on definitive roles, such as YMCA acting as SARC’s manager.
Low-income support
Sequim city councilors also committed $30,000 a year over three years as contracted services to the YMCA for low-income memberships.
City Manager Charlie Bush said the agreement is contingent on the economic opportunity funding going through for SARC and a deal going through between SARC and the YMCA.
“Essentially you are endorsing the YMCA as an operator,” Bush said. “I think that is the best option SARC has at this time. No other options are readily available if you want to see it open quickly.”
Bush said the city’s contribution would make up about 3.5 percent of the YMCA’s tentative $850,000 operating budget for SARC. If reopened, the facility would create 42-45 jobs for a payroll of $525,000.
“This is our opportunity to do our part,” Bush said.
Bush said historically, 20 percent of SARC’s users come from the City of Sequim and that they’ll pay for the contracted services using cell phone tower rental fees.
Dubois said she wants the YMCA to reopen SARC but voiced her frustrations with how the facility was/is run.
“It’s difficult to commit city funds to something that should have been run over the years in a more sustainable manner,” she said. “Of the current and previous boards, they knew they were only covering 80 percent of their operating costs and neglected to run regular small levies. They waited and ran down funds, which should have been used for replacement of this air handler. This is a failure on the part of the SARC board.”
Dubois said she only voted for the contract because the funds go to the YMCA.
“I know they have experience in operating parks and recreation facilities and pools and will have a much more sustainable business model than operating under in the past,” she said.
Councilor Genaveve Starr found the contract opportunity to be a positive partnership, she said.
“It is a lot of money, but I’m thinking of the fact we’re partnering with the county, hopefully, Olympic Medical Center, (Sequim) School District and the Y, so to my thought that’s a very positive effort to solve this problem,” she said.
“I’m not forgetting all the people who have come to the council to testify how important the SARC facility is for their well-being of life.”
Reach Alana Linderoth at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
