After the first round of voter returns, the most hotly debated topic in Sammamish is too close to call.
Residents are nearly split down the middle on Proposition 1 — the non-binding advisory vote that will be used as a gauge by the city council on whether or not to move forward with the development of a $30 million Community and Aquatic Center.
The ‘yes’ side is holding a narrow 292-vote lead with 6,806 (51.09 percent) in favor to 6,514 (48.9 percent) against.
King County will continue to release results the next few weeks as mail-in ballots are counted. Results will not be finalized until Nov. 27.
“Obviously we would like to have seen a bigger margin with the initial results, but overall, I think we’re doing well — particularly with the amount of money that was spent against it,” said Sammamish Mayor Tom Odell.
If approved, the city would decide whether to go forward with a 60,000-square-foot multipurpose Community Center that would be operated by the YMCA. The non-profit would also contribute $5 million towards the construction of the facility and an additional $1 million for equipment and furnishings.
Odell said that operation and construction agreements haven’t been finalized, meaning it could take some time before the council’s final vote on the Community Center — most likely at the end January.
Odell said he doesn’t believe there’s a definitive number of pro votes that need to be reached.
“I think if it ends up being one vote positive, people want the Community Center, if it’s one vote against, we’ll seriously have to evaluate things,” he said.
The proposed Community Center would include a leisure pool, lap pool, family spa, full size gymnasium, small gymnasium, a two-lane walk/jog track among several other attributes.
The city, which has promised a community center would provide no new taxes, would provide the already-owned site near City Hall and $25 million in construction funding — $14 million of which will come from the Parks Capital Fund.
The remaining money would come from the city’s reserves, which Odell said would still be strong. He said the city is required to maintain at least 10 percent of one year’s operating budget in reserves and Sammamish would still have three year’s worth, if not more.
In addition to the community center, the YMCA will give the city a 50-year lease at $1 year on approximately seven acres of YMCA property on 228th Avenue near Pine Lake Middle School for future civic purposes.
Opponents of Prop. 1 argued that it would be irresponsible for the city to help build a facility that competed with existing private enterprise along with using its reserve funds.
“Trying to cram down a single option with no given process without explaining all the facts or alternatives is just wrong,” said citizen Arthur Goldman, who spoke to the city council at its Nov. 6 meeting.
Goldman, who helped author the con statement in the voter’s pamphlet, said he spoke to roughly 200 citizens — 90 percent of whom he said opposed the idea.
“I considerably believe the city should explore the option of a community center, however, this should be done in the open with input from the community with numerous options explored,” he told the council. “I don’t know if you realize, but this is really dividing the community.”
The Reporter will update the results as they become available.
