Si View Metro Parks puts 24.2-million-dollar bond on November ballot to build a new pool

For the past two years, Si View Metro Parks has been exploring options for developing a new aquatics facility in the community. A feasibility study was done to ‘better understand the community’s aquatic needs and how to best address them – one of the top priorities identified in the District’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update, and a consistent community priority in every statistically valid survey since 2008.’

In their September newsletter, the Park District announced they are presenting two ballot measures to local voters that would fund the development and operations of a new community aquatic center.

According to Si View, the proposed aquatics center is expected to be approximately 46,000 square feet and built-in 2 phases, depending on available project funding. The size of the current Si View Pool area is 2,534 square feet. Phase 1 features include a 4,600 square foot beach entry warm temperature recreation pool with interactive water features, river current, flexible programming space with a three-lane 25-yard lap area, and a separate 109′ long water slide as well as a 2,000 square foot outdoor splash pad with spray features.

Proposed dry spaces include classrooms, family locker rooms and restrooms, office area, maintenance and storage spaces. The proposed facility design is such that spaces can operate independently or simultaneously with a later addition that could include a 6,200-sf cool water competition pool, associated infrastructure, and a 2,500 sf multi-purpose room.

The estimated cost of Phase one is 24.2 million.

According the Si the ballot propositions are:

“Proposition 1, a capital bond measure, would fund the necessary land acquisition, design and construction of a community aquatic center in North Bend to serve residents of the District and surrounding areas. The new aquatics center would provide additional facilities and programs to meet the aquatic needs of a rapidly growing population in the Snoqualmie Valley. Proposition 1 authorizes capital funding for phase 1 of the project with the issuance of up to $23,700,000 in general obligation bonds maturing within 30 years and set excess property taxes to repay those bonds with an estimated impact of $9.10 per month on a $500,000 home.”

“Proposition 2 is a levy lid lift measure to support operations at the Si View Metropolitan Park District, including the costs associated with operating a new aquatic facility. Proposition 2 would cost the owner of the average District home $500,000 about $2.69 per month. The amount of the levy collected in 2021 would be used to calculate subsequent levy limits. Qualifying seniors, veterans, and others would be exempt, per RCW 84.36.

Proposition 2 would increase the regular property tax of the District by up to $0.06/$1,000 of assessed valuation to a maximum regular property tax rate of $0.53/$1,000 of assessed valuation, as allowed by RCW 84.55. to fund parks and recreation operations and services, including: Constructing, improving and equipping the new aquatic center facility; Paying for costs of maintenance and operations of the new aquatic facility; and Costs of operating, maintaining, equipping and improving District park and recreation facilities and programs.”

After surveying residents to gauge support in March 2020, Si View decided to put the measures before the voters for approval on November 3, 2020. With the approval of this capital bond and levy lift proposal, the project design would begin in 2021 with Phase 1 construction as early as mid-2022 and Phase 1 completion by the end of 2023.

The current pool was constructed in 1938, for 600 residents, and does not meet the needs of the current population of nearly 40,000 residents, says the district. The concern is if the projected is delayed, much longer adequate land will be sparse and construction costly. For more information on this project, see Si View Metro Parks future aquatics center page.