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Board hears early briefing on second PFD and regional aquatics feasibility; YMCA outlines a possible indoor pool plan
Summary
Directors described a regional push to study an indoor aquatics facility funded by a proposed 'second PFD' (an additional sales tax without a sunset) if multiple PFD members enter an interlocal agreement; the YMCA reported it has purchased property in Hawk Prairie and is preparing fundraising for a larger indoor aquatics facility.
City staff briefed the board about regional work on aquatics and a possible second Public Facilities District (PFD) approach for funding on June 3. Director Jen Burbage and Senior Parks Planner Jenny Wilson summarized prior feasibility work and explained how a second PFD would function as an additional sales tax that could fund an aquatics facility if two or more current PFD members sign an interlocal agreement.
Burbage said the second PFD is a newer legislative tool and clarified it would be different from the existing PFD: "The second PFD is a little bit different in that it's an additional tax and it does not have a sunset," she said. Staff noted that the decision would require agreement by at least two members of the current multi‑jurisdictional PFD (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and the county) and that the measure would require voter approval.
Separately, the South County YMCA has purchased property in Hawk Prairie and announced plans to propose a larger indoor aquatics facility roughly twice the size of its current Briggs location, with fundraising and feasibility work underway. Staff said scale, site, cost, management and partners for any regional facility remain undetermined; Lacey did not commit to funding but is gathering feasibility information to inform potential participation.
Why it matters: a second PFD would raise a sales tax without a sunset to fund an aquatics project that could materially expand regional indoor pool capacity. Board members asked how a second PFD might interact with existing PFD programs, whether revenue could be combined, and what service model and governance would look like; staff said those details would be set later in interlocal negotiations and the feasibility process.
Next steps: Lacey staff will continue to collect feasibility data and coordinate with regional stakeholders; the YMCA and regional partners are moving forward with fundraising and campaign work independently.
