Election: Orcas Park and Rec levy doesn’t have super majority

Orcas Islanders overwhelmingly supported the formation of a parks and rec district last November. But as of Tuesday night, funding for the district looks unlikely.

Orcas Islanders overwhelmingly supported the formation of a parks and rec district last November.

But as of Tuesday night, funding for the district looks unlikely.

The Orcas Park and Rec District levy received 54.74 percent (1,062)of the vote, while 45.26 percent (878) voted no. A super majority of 60 percent is needed to pass the levy, according to rec district commissioners. There are 1500 ballots left to count for the entire election in San Juan County; results will be updated by the end of the week.

The proposed levy rate is 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for six consecutive years.

Since January of this year, commissioners Bob Eagan, Martha Farish, Jim Bredouw, Ian Lister, and Vicki Vandermay have been plotting a course for what the Orcas district will provide. The levy would fund the following programs through the Orcas Rec program (which officially closed on Nov.1): soccer, baseball, British soccer camp, volleyball, basketball, sailing, arts and crafts, music and video, technology, swim lessons, teen nights, after school programs, senior water aerobics, Steve Braun triathlon, adult/youth music, adult/youth art, adult/youth computers, adult/youth yoga and movement, and adult/youth tennis. It would also fund and manage Buck Park, which includes the tennis courts, skate park, and playing fields.