Oak Harbor Approves Study for New Community Recreation Center

Oak Harbor moved forward on November 10 with a key planning step for a proposed community recreation center, approving a consultant contract valued at about $133,118 with Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC. The contract funds a feasibility study that will define potential programming, facility components and concept designs, and guide city officials on whether and how to pursue construction and funding.

The study will respond to community input gathered to date, which indicated demand for indoor recreation, meeting and event space, and courts such as pickleball. Funding for the feasibility work comes from the city budget with state grant support, a sign that local leaders are combining municipal resources with external assistance to explore the project. City officials expressed enthusiasm for the concept while stressing the need for robust public outreach and long term planning as the process unfolds.

The consultant will be tasked with assessing options that reflect the needs residents have identified, and producing concept designs that can be used in future conversations about financing and siting. While the council vote authorizes the study rather than construction, it represents a tangible step toward answering questions about how a recreation center could serve Oak Harbor families, seniors and community organizations.

Local implications include potential new indoor spaces for sports, gatherings and civic events, addressing a commonly cited gap in community infrastructure. Courts for activities like pickleball could help meet rising demand for flexible court time and organized programs, while meeting and event facilities could provide venues for nonprofit groups, neighborhood associations and cultural events. For Island County residents, the study will determine trade offs in scale, cost and programming that affect future budgets and priorities.

Oak Harbor joins many U.S. communities that are reassessing public facilities to support active recreation and community cohesion. The outcome of the feasibility study will influence whether the city seeks further grants, evaluates capital financing options or develops a staged approach to implementation. City leaders have signaled that community engagement will be central to those decisions, ensuring that any proposal reflects local priorities.

As the study proceeds, residents can expect additional outreach and public comment opportunities before any final decisions on funding or construction are made. The feasibility report will be a key document for Island County voters and policymakers as they weigh the benefits and costs of a new recreation center in the years ahead.