A letter of intent between Kitsap County and the West Sound Performing Arts Center for a new theater has been signed.
The letter gives the West Sound Performing Arts Center (WSPAC) the go-ahead to build a performing arts center on the Central Kitsap Community Campus in central Silverdale.
The letter was presented to the board of the Central Kitsap Community Council on Dec. 18 by former County Commissioner Josh Brown, who represented the area, until his resignation Dec. 31.
He offered the letter that was signed by all three county commissioners, but was not yet signed by Michael Stowell, the president of WSPAC. Stowell signed the letter Dec. 23.
The letter of intent allows the performing arts center to be built on the community campus on Randall Way, where the YMCA now sits.
The letter sets out that the campus must also include an 8,000 to 12,000 square foot library and that the library space be planned for in anything that WSPAC builds.
To date, Kitsap Regional Libraries (KRL) which plans a new library in Silverdale, has not released a preferred location, but is considering the community campus.
If KRL decided that the campus is where it wants to build, WSPAC has to allow that, the letter stated.
In the letter, the county stipulates that the sole responsibility for financing and building and operating the performing arts center is that of WSPAC.
It says WSPAC can select its own architect to design the center, but must keep the county informed on the plans.
WSPAC must also ensure that there is adequate parking available on the campus.
With 450 parking spaces (mostly used by the YMCA patrons), “WSPAC should enter into discussions with the YMCA and other potential campus partners such as KRL on how parking may be addressed to the benefit of all parties,” the letter states.
It also clarified that WSPAC’s master plan should envision how to improve and make viable “the concept of the village commons.”
The county’s responsibilities are outlined as leasing the land to WSPAC for $1 a year, and that the lease be modeled after the current lease the county has with the YMCA.
Kitsap County will also formally adopt “CK campus design standards” prior to executing the lease. The county will look to the Central Kitsap Community Council for input on the project and any master planning.
The agreement also says the county will begin to look to relocate the Kitsap County Sheriff’s precinct office and to demolish the Silverdale Community center, also known as the C-Stock building.
The costs of demolishing the two buildings and the relocation of the sheriff’s office belongs with the county, the letter states.
Kitsap County will also support grant opportunities for WSPAC, similarly to how it has with the YMCA and Kingston Village Greens.
In a letter attached to the WSPAC agreement, Brown said that he and the other commissioners appreciated the work of the Central Kitsap Community Council on coming to an agreement to locate a new performing arts center and possibly a new Silverdale Library on the community campus.
Stowell, an attorney who serves as the spokesman for WSPAC, said work is underway to create design concepts for the theater, but nothing is ready yet to present to the public.
He said that the fundraising efforts for the performing arts center are underway. The group is looking to build a 900-seat theater but have not released cost estimates or design concepts. A smaller rehearsal stage may also be part of the project.
Meanwhile, a decision on a location for the library is expected to be made within the first few months of 2014.
Community meetings are being set to inform area residents about the plans and determine the level of support for a new library.
It could be funded through a levy or through fundraising, or a combination of both, library officials have said.
The current Silverdale Library is 4,950 square feet in size and is at 3450 NW Carlton St.
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