It’s not a good time for the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District to quarrel with the Oak Harbor School District about access to the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool. Top school officials threatened to cancel the high school swim team because they feel the park district isn’t giving the students enough access to the pool. Superintendent Rick Schulte said the number of lanes and time frame the park district offered is simply unsafe.

On the other side, park district officials are trying to balance the increasing demand for pool time from the public and their own popular aquatic clubs. Over the past 10 years, the number of people using the pool more than doubled. One of the reasons for the popularity is that the Navy base no longer has a pool; the Navy partners with the park district to allow active duty people to use the pool for free, while family members get a discount.

The park district is asking voters to renew its operations levy in August. To earn the public vote, officials should negotiate with the school district to put together a deal that works for everyone. Both sides will need to compromise. In general, it seems fair that everyone pays equally, one way or another, for pool access.

The long-term solution is for the park district to move ahead with its plans for expanding the pool. The district already has initial plans for adding a zero-depth leisure pool that could be used for aerobics, lap swimming, lessons and recreation. There would also be a “lazy river” that would include water slides and a pool-side viewing terrace. With some smart campaigning, it seems likely that the public would support such a project to improve a community jewel.