The Sequim Aquatic and Recreation Center’s board of directors breathed a sigh of relief following Port Angeles voters’ May 19 approval of a taxing district to operate William Shore Memorial Pool.

If the measure had failed, the 21-year-old SARC swimming pool at 610 N. Fifth Ave. would have been the only one operating in Clallam County.

"We’re thrilled," said SARC chairwoman Erika Starks last week.

"It’s important for every community to have a pool. Sadly, we’ve seen a lot of communities that are losing their pools.

"We feel it’s good to have that option and we’re glad to see people supporting their pools," she said.

SARC’s pool is 25-yards long and six lanes wide with a depth ranging from 4 feet to 12 feet. It also has 1-meter diving board, rope swing and a 17-foot-high water slide.

The pool operates on dues from about 2,600 pass holders following the failure of an operating levy in 2002.

The William Shore Swimming Pool in Port Angeles offers a 25-yard, six-lane pool with a depth ranging from 3.5 feet to 12 feet plus a beginners area and diving area with a 1-meter board.

The Port Angeles City Council proposed closing the pool at the end of 2008 because it costs the city’s general fund as much as $400,000 a year.

The May 18 vote was 6,484, or 67.48 percent, in favor of the park district and 3,125, or 32.52 percent, against.

The metropolitan park district election was for residents within the Port Angeles School District boundaries, which will be the same as the new metropolitan park district.

The district will levy an estimated 15 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation to fund the maintenance and operations of the pool starting in 2010.

The Forks Aquatic Center opened in 2005 after voters approved a $2.9 million 20-year bond issue to build it but then closed in September 2006 due to a lack of operating funds.

Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.