On July 29, 2019, City Council approved placing Shoreline Proposition 1 on the November 5, 2019, general election ballot. Approval of Proposition 1 would have funded the construction of a new aquatics, recreation, and community center to replace the almost 50-year-old Shoreline Pool and the 70 plus year-old Spartan Recreation Center, and provide space for senior programming currently located at the Shoreline Center (Download the concept design [PDF]). Also included in Proposition 1 were improvements to four community parks.

With an approval vote of 54%, Shoreline Proposition 1 failed. Because Prop. 1 was a bond measure, it required a 60% approval rate to pass.

Using the extensive input from the public and taking all the different community needs and interests into account, the Council felt it put the best option forward. Council will now begin to evaluate the results of the election and determine what next steps, if any, they should take regarding future investments in park improvements and the City’s recreation facilities.

The Shoreline City Council welcomes comments, questions and suggestions from the community. Contact them by:

MAIL
City of Shoreline
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Shoreline, WA 98133-4905

PHONE
206-801-2213

EMAIL
council@shorelinewa.gov

ONLINE CONTACT FORM
Contact the City Council

Public Process

A Parks Funding Advisory Committee advised the City Manager on funding options

A Park Funding Advisory Committee was appointed by the City Manager as an advisory Committee to the City Manager regarding funding for the Community & Aquatics Center and proposed park improvement projects. The Committee completed their work on March 27, 2019. Read the final report. [PDF]

Survey Results

In March 2019, EMC Research conducted a survey of Shoreline residents to understand their priorities for constructing a new community and aquatics center and on implementing different park improvements. Results of the 2019 Resident Priorities Survey

Public Open House

Approximately 150 people filled the City Hall Council Chamber on November 28, 2018, to see the high-level concept design for a new Community & Aquatics Center.

Repeated themes heard during the open house include the desire for and 8-lane competitive pool, a diving tank, a spectator viewing area, designated Senior Center space, and a commercial kitchen.

Open House Materials

The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services/Tree Board

The PRCS/Tree Board was updated on the status of the concept designs and offered their input at their regular meetings on August 23 and October 25, 2018.

History

On July 31, 2017, the City Council approved the Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Plan which sets the trajectory for parks, recreation and cultural programming for the City of Shoreline for the next 6-20 years. PROS Plan Strategic Action Initiative #1 states: Build a Community & Aquatics Center. The objective is to place a proposal for a new community and aquatics center before the voters by 2020 and open a new facility in 2022.

When Shoreline incorporated in 1995, the City partnered with the Shoreline School District to use School District facilities to offer recreation programming to residents. Since then, the Spartan Recreation Center and the Shoreline Pool have offered a full range of options to the community. However, the age of the facilities and anticipated light rail development in close proximity to these facilities make it necessary to reevaluate their sustainability.

The Shoreline Pool has served the community since 1971 in virtually the same way it did when it originally opened. Aquatics programming, and what communities look for in an aquatics facility, has changed dramatically over the last 47 years. The Shoreline Pool does not meet current recreation standards and has required several capital improvements to keep it going.

Spartan Recreation Center is operated by the City but owned by the School District. The fact that is located directly adjacent to a future light rail station makes its longevity as a City-operated recreation facility very uncertain.

Combining a future pool and community center would create efficiencies in utilities and staffing, increase service delivery as a one-stop recreation center, and create a hub, or third place, for the community to gather, celebrate and play.

The Aquatics and Community Center Feasibility Study that was completed as part of the 2011 PROS Plan public input process and ongoing conversations with the Shoreline community informed the building's design and function.

In April 2018 the City of Shoreline solicited a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) from individuals or firms interested in providing architect, landscape architect, and engineer teams to provide site planning and design services for a possible new Community and Aquatics Center. The intent was to develop reasonable cost estimates as a basis for determining potential funding strategies. The City chose WRNS Studio to lead this project.