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Oak Harbor circulates RFP for recreation‑center feasibility; council discusses reusing existing building
Summary
Council was briefed that a recreation-center feasibility RFP has been issued and that staff are exploring a faster alternative: adapting the former North End Fitness building on Goldie Road to meet community-size benchmarks and parking needs.
Oak Harbor staff told the council May 27 that the city has issued a request for proposals for a recreation‑center feasibility study and is also exploring adaptive reuse of an existing structure to speed delivery.
Why it matters: A recreation center is a large, costly facility with long lead time; reusing an existing building could reduce cost and accelerate availability if the structure meets program needs and parking can be arranged.
What staff reported
- RFP status: Staff said the RFP for a feasibility study was issued about two weeks before the meeting and that consultants will evaluate location, program size, cost and options for phasing.
- Potential reuse: Council and staff discussed the former North End Fitness building on Goldie Road as an early alternative to building from the ground up. Council members said an appropriate community facility size appears to be "15,000 to 17,000 square feet" and that a clear‑span building could reduce construction cost compared with new construction.
- Concerns and next steps: Parking and access were cited as primary concerns if a reused building hosted tournaments or high-attendance events; staff said acquiring adjacent land for parking is an option under consideration. Councilmembers emphasized public outreach through the feasibility study so the city understands what residents want before pursuing large expenditures or a ballot measure such as a potential B&O or sales‑tax questions.
Voices: Councilmember Wiesner described the Goldie Road building as a large clear‑span structure that might meet basic dimensional needs. Staff said the RFP process remains active while the reuse option is vetted; no procurement decision or purchase was made at the meeting.
Ending: Staff will continue the RFP process, evaluate the Goldie Road option and return to council with feasibility findings and community engagement results before any acquisition or major budget decisions are recommended.
