Levy Information | SARC - Sequim Aquatic Recreation CenterJump to navigationFALL/WINTER

Levy Information | SARC - Sequim Aquatic Recreation CenterJump to navigationFALL/WINTER


Monday – Thursday
5:30am – 9:00pm


Friday
5:30am – 8:00pm


Saturday
8:00am – 7:00pm


Sunday
11:00am – 7:00pmSARC NEED FOR A LEVY
SARC staff and board have determined that the department will run out of funding on or before December 31, 2017.  The SARC Board of Commissioners decided to pursue a $.12/$1,000, six year levy that will be placed on the February 10th Ballot.  BREAKDOWN OF LEVY COMPONENTS
SARC was established in 1988 and is coming into its 27th year of operations.  The aging facility is still in good condition, but has increasing maintenance and replacement needs.
The money will be utilized for three main components: to fix major maintenance needs, provide energy efficient improvements, and cover annual shortfall.


MAJOR MAINTENANCE NEEDS: SARC has over $715k in major maintenance projects that need to be completed in the next couple of years.  Projects include: replace Pool Air Handling Unit (HVAC System), repair exterior vinyl siding, repair roof, and reinforce the interior pool shell.


ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Most of SARC’s water and heating equipment was built when energy was much cheaper.  SARC is scheduled to use more than 600k gallons of water in 2015 (doesn't include showers), and needs to replace $288k of equipment that will help SARC reduce costs associated with energy and water usage..  Improvements include tempered water in the showers, new pool filters and pumps, and replacing the main boiler.  These expenditures will save money in the long run.

OPERATING EXPENSES ASSISTANCE: SARC has recovered approximately 80%** of its operating expenses from 1997 to 2013.  The national average is 65%* SARC will use a portion of this levy to help recover costs.
SARC keeps the fees at an affordable level to best serve the community, and reduce the tax burden on voters.
*Based on College Station, Texas Pool Audit Report.  Link available from SARC Director.
**Estimate $75-$100k that SARC should have placed into Equipment, Repair & Replacement.REPLACES LEVY THAT ENDED IN 2002
The Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center is asking voters for approval of a six year levy to help allow SARC to make large facility and equipment repairs, energy improvements to lower future expenses, and keep SARC fees affordable.
The levy would be $.12 per thousand, over six years and help SARC generate over $2.5 million.


Levy will remain at a fixed rate for six years.IMPACT ON AVERAGE HOMEOWNER
The impact of the $.12/1,000 annual levy will affect the median household assessed value ($217k) $26.04/year or $2.17/month.HOMEOWNERS IMPACTED
The boundaries of Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center’s (SARC) District are the same as the Sequim School District.  The only difference is SARC’s District does not include any portions of Jefferson County.  To view a map of the district, click here.OTHER QUICK FACTS ABOUT SARC
Below are facts about the operations of SARC.
The Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center (SARC) is a mixed-use recreation center that contains a competition pool, shallow (kiddie) pool, hydrotherapy pool, dry and wet saunas, locker rooms, KidZone (child watch), aerobics room, cardio room, circuit room, weight room, basketball court, and two racquetball courts.

SARC is the only mixed-recreation facility  on the Northern Olympic Peninsula that has both water and land fitness options under the same roof.

SARC is a junior taxing district (non-profit, government agency) much like a library, fire or water district that all have 501(c)1 status.

SARC was built and operates with tax fund levies.  SARC has had active tax levies 13 of its 26 years of operations.  The other 13 years SARC has relied on its reserve fund, which was funded by levies and other taxes.

Since 2003, SARC has not received any subsidy or assistance from the city, county or taxpayers.  Its Reserve Fund will be below $150k when this levy takes effect in 2016.

SARC  has over 3k members, and has over 250k visitations annually.

SARC has partnerships with the local businesses, organizations, and Special Olympics.

SARC hosts the Sequim High School Boys and Girls Swim and Dive Teams for practices and meets.

Last year, SARC offered youth swim lessons that served 522 and also offered swim lessons to 76 second graders at Haller Elementary.

Over the past year, SARC has added a number of youth and family programs including more affordable family memberships, family pool nights, little ninjas martial arts, teen weight room hours, and birthday parties.

SARC is a regional destination with users from all over the Northern Peninsula.  Many of these users buy gas, food and other products at Sequim businesses.

Over the past year, SARC has invested time and money in better training for lifeguards and supervisors in developing better customer service, responsiveness in case of emergency, and meeting higher legal standards..HOW SARC SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY
SARC has a positive impact not only on its users and their families, but the entire community.
COMMUNITY: SARC is a major community gathering place that serves over 3k members, and over 225k visitations annually.  It also hosts the Sequim High School Boys and Girls Swim and Dive Teams.
ECONOMIC: SARC has routine patrons from surrounding communities that support local businesses in Sequim by purchasing food, gas, groceries, and other services.  Recreation amenities are listed as the top reason for a small business to locate in a community. Realtors and hotels also use SARC as a selling point.
HEALTH: Seniors use the pool and fitness equipment to battle the effects of aging.  It also helps lower healthcare costs for local businesses.
FAMILIES: SARC offers an affordable family activity.  A family membership costs as low as $1.78/day with scholarships available.  This helps develop stronger families and gives children a healthy place to be before and after school, and during the summer months.SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
SARC staff and the Board of Commissioners did research over the past year.  These materials were used in determination of a levy.  Please click below to view these documents.State-of-SARC Presentation: An outline of the public meeting on July 23.  It is a copy of the presentation.SARC Levy Fact Sheet: This is the first Fact Levy Sheet presented in July.Pool Structure Report: This is an independent report performed by Steve Burke of William Shore Memorial Pool.

Civil Engineering Report:(Part I, Part II) This is an independent report performed by Kenneth Hays Architects.Energy Audit: This is a spreadsheet from an audit performed by Ameresco of possible projects to attempt to attain Washington State Department of Commerce Energy Grants.Frequently Asked Questions: A summary of frequently asked questions from the last meeting and overall.SARC Mechanical Tour: SARC will have a tour of its mechanical areas and other large projects on Thursday, January 22 at 5:00 p.m.Morning Rotary Presentation: This presentation was the last about the levy made to the Sequim Morning Rotary on Friday, January 10, 2015.CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information on the SARC levy, please email the SARC Board of Commissioners at sarcboardlevy@gmail.com, or Scott Deschenes, Executive Director, at 360.683.3344, extension 12 or sarc@olypen.com.















   

   


     
 

   

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