The chairman of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District resigned Wednesday, the seventh board resignation in less than three years.

Allan McDougall, who became chairman about a year after joining the board in early 2013, quit without notice during Wednesday’s special meeting.

He is the third commissioner to resign during 2014. Kirk Huffer left in July and David Walton in August.

In addition, Director Gino Wolfe confirmed that he is quitting, effective at the end of this year.

The district has been swimming in controversy since former director Bill Walker fired a swim club coach and another employee. That resulted in lawsuits and a state audit.

The audit largely vindicated Walker, but the parks district settled with the employees.

McDougall said that recent meetings have often been tense.

“The decisions in the last four meetings and the nastiness of the interactions during and between those meetings, in my opinion, have made the ideal impossible to realize,” McDougall said in a letter he read at Wednesday’s meeting.

Later, he explained that he joined the board because he wanted to help the district continue supporting those who needed the pool, especially people who relied on it as their only source of exercise, including the elderly and people with disabilities.

McDougall said he grew tired of the recent attitude in the board meetings, however.

“They’re not friendly meetings,” he said. “There’s no reason for anybody to be shouting at anybody, so I got tired of it.

“Really, (the) lack of respect for the director was quite tiring.”

McDougall said he quit during Wednesday’s special meeting because “it seemed like the right time to do it.”

The board, he said, is about to review the budget, and if they make changes, it will be a “very stressful” process. He wanted to leave before getting involved in that process.

Commissioner Sean Merrill said the regular December board meeting is also when officers are appointed for the coming year, so it was a convenient time for the chairman to depart.

“I was surprised,” Merrill said of McDougall’s resignation, “but he’s got to do what’s right for him. If he feels that’s the right move, then that’s the right move.”

Merrill said that the board will post the opening online.

A total of seven board members resigned from the district over the past three years. Commissioner Lori Clark didn’t seek re-election.

Merrill is the only member of the board who was elected and not appointed.

There have also been three different directors, a position that will also be open in January with Wolfe’s departure. Also, since 2012, the district has had two different head coaches, not including interim coaches or the recently hired coach.

“The district has experienced a lot of change in recent years,” said Commissioner Wendy Shingleton, “but one thing that hasn’t changed is the important role we play in this community.”

“I think that a lot of people agree … that right now, we’ve got a lot of work to do, to restore the faith the public has put in us and give them something to be proud of,” said Commissioner Steve Hoffmire.

“It’s been a trying time. I just really believe that good days are ahead.”

McDougall said that the district is “probably going to fold,” though he hopes it doesn’t because a lot of people depend on it.

Shingleton and Merrill said they think the district will pull through and grow strong again.

“I think the district will be fine,” Merrill said. “I think we’ve got a great group of commissioners now. I think we’re going to get through the speed bumps we have here.

“I’m positive we’re headed towards brighter days.”

As for McDougall, he said he’s “going to enjoy life for a while.”

“I’m closer to 75 than 70, and I can enjoy life,” he said.

“Life rolls on. (I have) no problems. In fact, I had a lot fewer (problems) today than (Wednesday).”