The Redmond Park and Recreation District’s five-year levy to fund operations for a new community center failed in Tuesday’s election.

According to preliminary results as of Wednesday morning, 67.3% of voters in the district said no, while just 32.7% voted to approve the measure.

The Redmond park district passed a $49 million bond in November 2022 to fund the new community center. The levy would have raised $1.1 million in the first year to fund operations for the building, including staffing, utilities and pool chemicals. Over five years, the levy would have raised $6.3 million.

A similar levy failed two years ago.

The new recreation center is in the early stages. It will be a 56,000-square-foot building with two pools, one with eight laps for lap swimming and the other a leisure pool with a hot tub and slide. It will also have an open fitness area, a gymnasium lined for several sports and group fitness classrooms. It is scheduled to open in early 2026.

The new center will allow the park district to expand sports camps, cooking classes and activities for families in the afternoons and early evenings, among other activities.

Even with the anticipated revenue the new center will bring in, the park district still estimates it will need $1.4 million to operate the building in its first year.

The Cascade Swim Center will reduce its hours regardless.

The levy would have increased taxes by 21 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $52.56 per year or $4.38 per month for an average-priced home.

Voters to decide on Redmond Area Park and Recreation District operations levy