About the New Facility

Working Together with the City of Anacortes

In 2019, Russ and Kim Jeter donated property on J Avenue to Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center to provide more opportunities for the new facility to better serve Anacortes. The community was excited about the new land and the possibility to join forces with the City of Anacortes and their proposed community center.

In November 2019, Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center met with the City of Anacortes about a potential partnership to form a new Fidalgo Aquatic & Community Center. Since the first meeting, select pool commissioners and city staff and council have met regularly to form a plan on how a partnership would best benefit our community.

Over the next few months, representatives of the city and the pool will be working together on finalizing a partnership agreement, the design, and completing a cost analysis.

Pool Commissioners and the Capital Campaign Committee are excited about the potential partnership with the City of Anacortes. Although this changes the original project timeline, the potential outcome will far exceed our expectations. There are many benefits with a partnership. Not only will there be more amenities available to our community, but there are also significant cost savings.

Design elements identified
At the February 6 meeting, the pool and city identified all desired elements of design for the new facility. They include:

Aquatic center
Expanded and modernized locker rooms, including family changing rooms
Meeting/Community room
Commercial kitchen
Fitness center including two group exercise studios
Child watch room
Boys & Girls Club
Full-size gymnasium
Flexible space for community recreation and programming

The new facility will be designed to support integration with the Anacortes Senior Activity Center. If space allows, there is a potential to build a for a tenant.

Site design and cost analysis are next
Now that elements of design are established, the next steps include working with ARC Architects for a site design and TRICO Companies for a cost analysis. Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center has an established relationship with ARC Architects, which designed the plans for the new Fidalgo Aquatic & Fitness Center before working with the city. Due to this established relationship, it is expected to have a new site design in 3-6 weeks.

Partnership decision
After the site design and cost analysis are completed, the next step is to confirm the facility’s programming and budget. Once programming and budgeting are finalized, the pool and city will then decide if moving into a partnership is best for both entities and the entire community. The partnership is projected to be determined by July 31.

If the final partnership is established as expected, the pool and city will introduce the plans and reinstate a capital campaign to raise more funds from individuals, businesses, and grants to lessen the cost to taxpayers when they are asked to approve a bond measure.

About Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center

Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center (“FPFC”) has been a treasured multi-generational recreation and fitness facility in our community since 1975. We provide aquatic and land-based programs to thousands of people each year, helping them stay fit, have fun, learn skills and meet personal goals through competitive, therapeutic and recreational activities, services and programs, including:

Swim Lessons. Over 1,200 lessons annually to residents of all ages, imparting this vital life skill. A pilot program with Island View third-grade and special-needs students, expanding to all district third-graders next school year.
Youth Programs. Daily recreational swims, combining fun with exercise, to generations of community youngsters. A professionally-coached in-house swim team, ages 6-18, teaching kids competitive and team-building skills. Scholarship programs for disadvantaged youth, allowing all to participate.
A Place to Meet and Stay Fit. 1,300 check-ins per week. A place to gather and socialize, providing a sense of purpose and belonging, while meeting personal fitness goals along the way.
Effective Partnerships. Physical Therapy support through Island Hospital, kayaking and scuba training skills with local providers and agencies, Anacortes High School swim team practices and meets.

The Challenge

Our facility is 45 years old (and counting), with limited capacity to meet the needs of all residents: Physical therapy patients find our pool too cold • lap swimmers find our pool too warm and too crowded • lack of ADA access and an elevator • lack of fire sprinklers • a need for family changing areas • outdated locker facilities. The list goes on..

We seek to renew the vision and rekindle the community commitment that gave us a fine new facility in the ‘70s–to build on our pool’s legacy with a new facility that fulfills community needs for future generations and continues to enhance the lifestyle and connections we all treasure.