Dear Editor:

The evolving public discussion about the proposed Healthier Together aquatic facility would benefit from factual information about past, present, and future pool usage.

In 2018, entries into the Mountain View Pool averaged 2,956 per month for a total of 32,521 entries during the 11 months the pool was open. This data does not include entries for swim lessons, swim teams or pool rentals.

The Jefferson County YMCA reports that in 2022 there were 15,815 entries from 696 individual users, or an average of 1,318 entries per month – 45 percent of the 2018 data. The pool is open fewer hours and offers less programming than pre COVID due to a shortage of staff.

Two independent sets of data reporting user zip codes – one pre and one post COVID – show that over 40 percent of the users resided outside the Port Townsend city limits.

New facilities like Healthier Together typically experience increased usage and often exceed projections. One nearby example is the Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles which completed a major renovation in October 2020. The new facility is comparable to the proposed Healthier Together one in terms of aquatic and other amenities. Revenue from user fees was projected to increase 50 percent. In 2021, the first year of operation, revenue was 176 percent of the 2018 numbers, and in 2022 revenue increased to 215 percent.

Many Jefferson County residents do not use the Mountain View pool because of its small 20-yard 4-lane tank, outdated changing rooms, chlorine purification system, limited hours of operation, and lack of class offerings. 2014 survey data from the Jefferson County YMCA shows that a modern aquatic facility would be used often by 30 percent or more of East Jefferson County residents.

Earll Murman