The Fidalgo Park and Recreation District was created in 1972 with the sole purpose of providing for a pool.  This district is separate from the City and the County and is funded through a combination of property taxes to maintain and operate the swimming pool and fitness building, and user fees to pay for all instructors, programs, and lifeguards.  As a Park and Recreation District, it is limited to six-year levies. In 2004, the state legislature changed regulations, allowing more jurisdictions to form a Metropolitan Park District.

The Fidalgo Pool and Fitness District Commissioners have asked the City of Anacortes and Skagit County to place a proposal to create a Metropolitan Park District named the Fidalgo Recreation District on the August ballot.  This is the culmination of a process that began well before the proposal was presented at a City Council meeting on November 20, 2023.  The Council signed a resolution in support of the proposal and to place the item before the voters.  The City passed a follow-on resolution on February 5, 2024.  The proposal was then presented to the Skagit Board of County Commissioners on February 7, 2024, where they also expressed support and passed a resolution.  The proposal then went through a 45-day review by the Skagit County Boundary Review Board and was cleared on April 22, 2024.

This ballot measure will create a Metropolitan Park to replace the current Park and Recreation District.  The Metropolitan Park District will operate with the same funding structure as the current district.  It will, however, provide a stable and predictable financial position for the District moving forward as it will remove the requirement for an Operations and Maintenace levy every six years.  The current structure severely limits the funding options for large and capital projects.   The Commissioners’ intent and belief is that the new district’s levy rates will remain with the historical rates.  Metropolitan Park Districts are limited by the 1% limit on adjusting their regular property tax levy just like all other cities, counties, and special purpose districts unless voters approve a greater increase.

The District would continue to be governed by five commissioners elected at large from the population.  The vote for the new commissioners will be on the ballot in August as well.  Additionally, the new district will once again align us with the Anacortes School District boundaries and be more representative of our patron population, to include those on Guemes Island.

Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center:

• Serves ages 6 months to 100+
• More than 6,500 visits per month and growing.
• Provides lifesaving training in the form of swimming lessons, lifeguard classes, CPR, and babysitting courses.
• Over 130 children each month receive swimming lessons.
• Programs and support for individuals with special needs.
• Supports four swim teams.
• Allows fitness and social benefits through the gym, fitness classroom, and aquatic fitness classes.
• Partners with local businesses to provide physical therapy for those recovering from injury and safety training for water sports including diving, sailing, and kayaking.
• Accepts insurance fitness benefits from many providers.
• Assistance for low-income patrons.