Methow Valley News Jan 4, 2024
#2 (tie) Methow Aquatics District fails
Plans for a new swimming pool in the Methow Valley were sunk by voters who rejected a proposed metropolitan park district on the November ballot by a more than 2-1 margin.
Backers of the proposed Methow Aquatics District said the defeat of the special taxing district left no clear path forward for a new swimming pool facility in the valley.
Proponents gathered more than 1,200 signatures to put the proposition on the ballot, but only 1,099 residents voted for the measure. The proposition failed with 68.61% opposed and 31.39% in favor.
Friends of the Pool, a nonprofit community group that has raised money over the past 20 years to support the Wagner Memorial Pool in Twisp, proposed the metropolitan park district as a way to replace the aging pool. Based on a feasibility study conducted over a two-year period, Friends of the Pool proposed an indoor facility to provide year-round swimming. A conceptual design by consultants estimated the cost to be about $21 million.
The proposed district would have been able to levy regular property taxes up to 75 cents per $1,000 assessed value, and issue bonds “to develop, construct, operate and maintain” a new pool facility, according to the ballot proposition. The district boundaries were the same as the Methow Valley School District.
The metropolitan park district proposal became contentious as the election approached, much like a similar proposal to create a metropolitan park district that was defeated in 2014. Opponents, led by Winthrop resident Ray Peterson, said there were too many uncertainties about the new taxing district, and voters were being asked to approve a permanent taxing entity without knowing the specifics of the design or cost of the facility it would support.
Peterson said he would advocate for another way to fund a new swimming facility, such as sales taxes. He sent an email to mayors of Twisp and Winthrop after the election, urging them to explore ways to finance a pool.
Friends of the Pool said it will continue to support operations of the Wagner Memorial Pool if the Town of Twisp keeps it open. Consultants determined several years ago that the 56-year-old pool has deteriorated beyond repair.
Pool supporters are open to “new ideas and working with people” said Bo Thrasher, co-chair of Friends of the Pool, after the election. She said the group would probably meet to discuss possible next steps early in 2024.