Oak Harbor hires Barry Dunn for recreation center feasibility study using $200,000 state appropriation

The Oak Harbor City Council on Oct. 25 authorized the mayor to sign a professional services agreement with Barry Dunn, McNeil & Parker LLC for a recreation center feasibility study, approving a contract not to exceed $200,000. The city received a $200,000 member-request capital appropriation from the Washington state legislature to fund the study.

Brian Smith, Oak Harbor's Parks and Recreation Director, presented the contract scope and budget. The chosen firm's negotiated fee is $174,938; the Department of Commerce will retain a 3% administrative share for the state-funded appropriation. Staff said the Oak Harbor Youth Whidbey Royalty Program raised additional small donations and the city adjusted the remainder from the general fund (about $4,700) so the full $200,000 appropriation covers the work.

Smith outlined the study's phases: project planning; market, demographic and program analysis; public engagement and visioning; development recommendations and implementation strategies; and preparation of a draft and final study for presentation to council after Parks and Recreation Commission review. The anticipated schedule is roughly 10 to 12 months, though staff said the consultant can accelerate or extend the timeline as needed.

Council members emphasized the importance of robust public engagement and linking facility program concepts to potential sites and funding strategies. Council member Wiesner urged early identification of potential sites and asked that consultants identify possible construction funding and public-private partnership options as part of the implementation strategy. "If it simply is not feasible, financially viable... they're going to tell us that," Smith said, describing the consultant's role in providing candid feasibility analysis. Council member Marshall moved to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The contract scope includes community engagement activities (focus groups, public sessions, a project website), site analysis and concept development, program and operations modeling, capital and operating pro forma estimates, and conceptual renderings to support future fundraising. Staff told council they will coordinate consultant outreach with local stakeholders and schools and expect to present the final study to council after Parks and Recreation Commission review.