This is the current version of the FOTP's web page 8/7/2023...
Always good to take snapshots as things may change over time...
What’s the MAC?
The Methow Aquatics Center (MAC) is a multi-purpose aquatics facility that can be used ALL year by EVERYONE in the Methow Valley. It will replace the Wagner Pool in Twisp at a new location. The center will support youth swim lessons, competitive swimming for all ages, leisure swim, rehabilitation, and water related safety programs in an indoor facility safe from wildfire smoke and harsh weather.
The above drawing depicts conceptual square footage for planning purposes only (by Johnston Architects)
A six-lane pool - for laps, exercise, racing, and recreation
A warmer recreational pool for swim lessons, exercise classes, and fun
A spa hot tub for therapy and relaxation
An outdoor jetted splash pad for kids
Changing facilities for individuals and families
A multi-purpose room for parties, training, and programs
Admin space and a front desk
Outdoor open space
Parking
The community has spoken and the MAC is our future.
Why a Year Round Pool?
Since 2019 Friends of the Pool has engaged the community in numerous ways to gain insight and feedback on the best way to secure a future of swimming for the valley. To date, we’ve :
conducted small stakeholder discussion groups and online surveys,
hosted community open houses, zoom meetings, and information booths
worked with elected officials and current pool management to learn
engaged on social media, print, and online formats to inform and seek participation
time and time again the overwhelming voice has been to build year round swimming.
From all of this outreach, the community has voiced that most desirable replacement plan for the Wagner Pool would be a year round facility.
The MAC plan include two pools of different designs and temperatures for a variety of uses to provide access for different users at the same time. This is to support a diverse user group ranging in age from young and old and varying mobilities. A six-lane pool will be used for lap swimming, swim competitions, and other higher exertion activities where cooler water is best. Alongside this will be a warmer recreational pool suited to children’s lessons, exercise for adults, and rehabilitation.
Vote for the MAC!
Petitions have been submitted to the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office for the formation of the Methow Aquatics District and shall be listed as Proposition 1. Proposition 1 reads as follows:
A petition of the voters has been submitted concerning formation of a metropolitan park district. If approved, this proposition would create a district under chapter 35.61 RCW, to be known as the Methow Aquatics District, to provide ongoing funding to develop, construct, operate, and maintain the Methow Aquatics Center and related existing and future facilities. The District would have the powers provided under chapter 35.61 RCW, excluding eminent domain, but including, among others, to levy regular property taxes up to 75 cents per $1,000 assessed value, and its boundaries would be coterminous with the boundaries of Methow Valley School District 350. The District would be governed by a five member board appointed by the Okanogan County Commission and the Twisp and Winthrop Town Councils as provided by interlocal agreement approved by the three jurisdictions.
What is the Methow Aquatics District and why do we need it?
The Methow Aquatics District (MAD) is a type of special purpose district, in this case, a Metropolitan Park District (MPD), available to communities to form in Washington State to fund special public benefits. Learn more here about MPDs.
Building a new public pool is a costly and complex undertaking for a rural area. For the past 50 years, the Town of Twisp has had the sole responsibility of operating and maintaining the Wagner Pool. While they have relied heavily on charitable giving, they’ve also had to rely on their own tax revenue from the General Fund to cover the costs, putting the burden on tax payers of Twisp alone. But the pool is used valley-wide so it makes sense that all the valley residents chip in to provide a regional public benefit.
The MPD provides a governing structure for local jurisdictions to partner together for a shared value. The Methow Aquatics District, once formed via voter approval, will be governed by a five member board of commissioners comprised of 3 elected officials, representing the jurisdictions within the district and 2 members at-large appointed by the Towns of Winthrop and Twisp.
The MPD structure was chosen for a variety of reasons:
Sustainable revenue. In order to raise the capital funds needed to build a new pool of any size, grants from state, federal, or private foundations and donations from private donors will be part of the equation. We need to assure donors and granters that we can and will sustain what they help us build. We’ve spoken to our state, federal, and local representatives, donors, and recreation advisors - they all concur a district is necessary to support the project in the long term. The MPD does this because it’s a permanent levy. That doesn’t mean the levy rate is set in stone, but it does mean we will be assured that any capital investment will be supported in perpetuity through a levy. It would be irresponsible to spend millions of dollars on a public facility, only to have the levy fail on future ballots, rendering it inoperable.
Financing. Because the levy is a permanent levy, the district will be able to finance a portion of the capital expense, if needed. About 25% of proposed MAC capital expense (roughly $5milllion) could be paid via debt financing. Similarly, if needed, the Commission could return to the voters for an excess levy to issue bonds. We hope to avoid this option and fundraise the remaining capital privately.
Governance. The MPD has strengths for successful governance. The first 5 years of the Aquatic District will be critical. With this in mind, this approach harnesses the skills and knowledge of existing elected officials to lead our community towards the vision of year round swimming. We chose an interlocal agreement because it requires partnership building by negotiating and communicating with every legislative authority in MVSD 350. In many ways it would have been easier to not take this route, but we value the ongoing communication with these elected officials and value their knowledge and leadership. Using our elected officials in the governance structure makes them accountable to the public as well. Using appointed members at large provides the opportunity to appoint well qualified and committed board members who value the purpose of the district.
How much will this affect my property tax?
The Commissioners will set the levy annually to an amount adequate to ensure the facility can operate. That means the levy rate will fluctuate based on the annual budget, but at most, it will be not exceed the statutory rate of $0.75/1000 of assessed property value. To operate a facility like the current MAC, as proposed, a levy rate of $0.40/1000 would be adequate. However, the board may decide they need to utilize some levy capacity to help build the facility (see above under Financing).
How will this impact low income, fixed income households?
This will be a general levy and subject to property tax exemptions for those individuals and households who qualify. Currently there are 189 individuals and households in the district who qualify for this exemption. We encourage anyone 61 and older or who have a disability to see if they qualify and apply for exemptions.
The current MAC operational analysis provides a very generous and affordable fee schedule: $4 for children and seniors and $6 for adults. If entrance fees are still a barrier to access, Friends of the Pool, like we always have, will work with our community partners the Kiwanis, the Cove, and RoomOne to ensure access for all.
What about our housing issues, will this impact affordable housing?
We are concerned about affordable housing too. Unfortunately, housing affordability is a market driven, societal issue that persists, regardless of a new local tax. This project benefits our low income families by providing a safe and affordable place to recreate year round - specifically because it relies on all of us from varying incomes and property values to chip in. In terms of housing, we have a very committed group of citizens looking at housing solutions and we applaud those efforts. We’ve considered adding dormitories, or manager housing to the center - and those options still exist. Opportunities to collaborate and work together to face our collective challenges abound. It’s not a zero sum game, an all or nothing solution. It’s an everything solution and an everyone solution.
If voters opt to not fund the Aquatics Center, our housing challenges will not be solved. If we do build a publicly supported Aquatics Center, our low and medium income families will have an affordable alternative to otherwise costly recreational activities, allowing any flexible income to be expended on other needs, including housing.
Why the MAC!
A gathering hub for all people, all ages, all year
Pools provide a safe space for kids to gain independence
It will serve as an indoor airshed and climate resilient facility
Vibrant communities have pools
A safe and healthy place for our aging population
The Wagner Pool is on life support and needs replacement now!
Support the MAC
How do we get there?
Building the MAC is a complex project and it will take a variety of sources of funding to make it a realty.
The Methow Aquatic District is necessary for an operating levy to fund the ongoing operations and maintenance. Depending on the level of funding from the levy, some of the revenue may be used to pay for a construction bond.
Grants. We are seeking grants from a variety of sources.
Donations - Capital Campaign. We hope to raise a large portion of the capital for this project from private donors.
How do I get involved?
The Task Force meets every Monday 5:30 in Twisp. To join the Task Force for the Methow Aquatics District, please contact
methowvalleyrecdistrict@gmail.com.
