Olympia is exploring creation of a possible aquatics center, but Lacey won’t commit funds
For now, Lacey City Council won’t commit to help fund a regional aquatics facility that the city of Olympia is exploring.
The Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department has launched an aquatics facility feasibility study for a recreational center intended to have a regional draw, according to Lacey City Council agenda materials.
Olympia invited Lacey to help fund the center, Lacey Parks and Recreation director Jen Burbidge said at a city council meeting Thursday, but Lacey’s parks board recommends the city not commit, largely because the city doesn’t have a funding source.
Council members Malcolm Miller and Ed Kunkel asked about the type and location of the swimming center, but those details still are to be determined. However, Burbidge said it might be similar to the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, which was constructed for the 1990 Goodwill Games and has an Olympic-sized competition and training pool, a smaller recreational pool with pirate cove features and a banquet hall.
Mayor Andy Ryder, Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt and Councilwoman Carolyn Cox agreed that now is not the time to be a funding partner.
“I see the value of it,” Ryder said about the swimming destination. “As long as we have a staff member at the table, we have time to be a funding partner in the future.”
Councilman Michael Steadman asked the council to remember Max Aunese and the importance of having an alternative place to swim. Aunese is the Lacey resident and former Timberline High School student and athlete who drowned in a quarry pond near Millersylvania State Park last month.
“I think we need to be kind in our response to Olympia, but I don’t see us doing this with them when funding is up in the air because of COVID-19,” Cox said.
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
