Why is Island Rec asking for another levy?

• • Island Rec’s current levy and funding expires in 2021. After 2021 there is no funding for Island Rec , High School Sports or the operations and maintenance of John O. Linde Community Park.
  • By law the maximum term for Island Rec’s levy is six years; the maximum levy rate is 60 cents; this levy is for 38.5 cents per $1000 of property assessment value. The expiring levy was also 38.5 cents.
  • Island Rec needs 2,600 voters to vote in April to validate the election and needs 60% approval to pass.
  • Election day is April 27, 2021.

What will 38.5 cents provide?

This levy will continue Island Rec Programs and Trails – 16.5 cents
This levy will continue funding of school sports – 10 cents
This levy will continue the OPERATIONS and MAINTENANCE of Island Rec Parks, including John O. Linde Community Park – 12 cents

What programs and parks does Island Rec fund?

At the end of the last levy cycle (2015) Island Rec provided over 2,700 hours of organized recreation programming with over 14,000 participants. During this levy cycle it has increased to over 3,200 hours of recreation programming with nearly 18,000 participants.

What impact has COVID-19 had on Island Rec financially?

Due to state guidelines, Island Rec had to significantly decrease the number of programs that are offered to the community. This caused a drop in anticipated program revenue for the District however due to fewer staff and reduced spending there was nonetheless a $100,000 net savings. These funds will be allocated towards enhancements of park facilities and will help offset some future program fees in 2021 and 2022.

What does Island Rec plan to accomplish in the next six years?

The renewed levy will allow Island Rec to maintain its current recreation programs, parks and services and allows for modest growth. This includes:

• Preschool age programming expansion
• Increased Maintenance and Capital Projects at Lafarge Property, Eddie and Friends Dog Park, Family Park, Skate Park and John O. Linde Community Park.
• Increase adult community recreation and continued education opportunities.
• Community assessment for expanded indoor and outdoor recreation facilities at John O. Linde Community Park.

Why is Island Rec funding school sports?

• In 2009, voters approved Island Rec’s levy to fund school sports.
• The school has maxed out its levy capacity funding basic education.
• The School District’s budget cannot fund school sports and is 100% dependent on this levy to do so.
• SJISD FAQ’s – Click Here

Why is Island Rec funding the Operation and Maintenance of John O. Linde Community Park?

Access to park spaces create healthy communities and Island Rec is in the business of both parks and creating a healthy community. As a public agency, it is Island Rec’s mission and mandate to operate parks and recreational facilities.

• This park includes a playground, one-mile paved walking trail, soccer field, multipurpose field, baseball field, softball field, picnic areas and restrooms.
• Island Rec is delighted that this community has donated over $4 million dollars to fully build the park, and public money is only needed to maintain it. This park has been developed through partnerships with the San Juan Island School District as the landowner, Friday Harbor Athletic Association and the San Juan Island Community Foundation as the developer, and Island Rec as the public agency to operate and maintain the popular community facility.

How do I benefit from Island Rec?

You live in a community where:

• Affordable and Free community events and activities bring neighbors and families together.
• Parks, trails and open spaces are available and well-maintained for everyone to enjoy.
• Seniors and adults have recreational opportunities for a variety of interests and needs.
• Families have opportunities to recreate together in programs and parks.
• Working parents can be assured their children are well cared for at an affordable, safe and enriching daily after school and summer programs.
• High school students have the opportunity of participating in a school sport and all the positive experiences that are a part of being on a team.
• Working people want to live here because of the high quality of life provided through trails, parks, recreation programs and sports made available to the community.
• Tweens and teens explore, develop and learn positive life-long leisure skills.
• Kids and adults have positive choices and alternatives to drug and alcohol abuse.

What will this levy cost me?

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More information about Island Rec Parks, Programs and Services and this levy request can be found on www.islandrec.org or by calling or emailing:

Maddie Ovenell, Island Rec Director  – 360-378-4953 – play@islandrec.org
Bill Cumming, Board Commissioner – cumming@rockisland.com
Adam Eltinge, Board Commissioner – adman1974@msn.com
Shannon Miniken, Board Commissioner – sawyerminiken@rockisland.com
Allison Moalli, Board Commissioner – allimoalli@gmail.com
Scott Zehner, Board Commissioner – szehner@rockisland.com

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PO Box 1946 ∙ 580 Guard Street  ∙ Friday Harbor, WA 98250 ∙ islandrec.org