South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District officials are considering scaling back some design elements to stay within the budget for a new aquatic recreation facility.

In November 2023, voters approved a $27 million bond for the pool project, which is expected to begin construction sometime in 2025 or 2026.

Parks and rec commissioners decided during their September meeting to forgo a three-foot expansion of the pool deck, a choice which will save an estimated $475,000.

Not everyone was a fan of this cost-cutting measure, however. The South Whidbey Parks and Aquatic Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has helped raise funds for the pool, did not recommend reverting to the original deck size, which is a width of 11 feet, 6 inches on the west side of the lap pool and 9 feet, 6 inches on the east side. The architect for the project also did not recommend it. Commissioner Matt Simms was the sole vote against the reduction.

The commissioners also discussed three deductive alternate items, meaning if money is tight, the board can decide whether to include some aspects of the pool’s design based on the budget. When the project goes out to bid, the district will receive prices with and without these items, though the hope is to include them all.

The items include reducing 75% of administrative staff offices, which would save an estimated $750,000, and removing two party rooms, a savings of $1.36 million. A third option, which would save around $525,000 or potentially even less, involves switching from a Myrtha pool to a concrete pool.

Brian Tomisser, the parks and rec district’s executive director, explained to the board that the reduction in staff offices would go from roughly 1,000 square feet to about 250 square feet, which could include an office for an on-site manager and space for another desk or two, but not much else.

Getting rid of two community rooms leaves just one space that would become a multi-purpose room, alternating between fitness, parties and other gatherings.

Both of these items were vetted and approved by the foundation and an advisory committee made up of foundation members and parks and rec commissioners.

Changing the material of the pool, however, was a later idea they had not yet weighed in on. Myrtha pools are a more expensive option, and according to the company’s website, “the structure is realized with stainless steel modular panels with a PVC layer applied hot in the factory.”

Tomisser emphasized that more accurate, updated figures for each item will be forthcoming within the next month or so from a professional cost estimator.

Commissioner Erik Jokinen pointed out that they told the public that the facility was going to have certain elements, like the party rooms.

“I just want people (to) keep that in mind, that as we start to take things away, that’s also not what we told people they were going to get,” he said.

Tomisser said the big decisions will come six months down the line, and nothing has been taken away yet.

Simms said he toured Oak Harbor’s brand-new concrete pool that had to be drained and closed because of one kid’s accident, which is one of the downsides of concrete because it potentially leads to higher maintenance and operation costs. Myrtha pools, on the other hand, have a 25-year warranty.

He also voted against approving the deductibles.