Clean Water
Facility Project

Past Project Announcements

2019

You're Invited: Windjammer Park Grand Opening

Come explore your new park on Saturday, June 29, 2019 starting at 10:30 a.m. Discover pirates, music, treasures, and more! See below for our schedule of events.

  • 10:30 a.m. - Splash Park Ribbon Cutting
  • 11:00 a.m. - Water to the Splash Park turned on!
  • 2:00 p.m. - Story walk with Sno-Isle Library

For more information on improvements happening in Windjammer Park please visit our Park page.

Splash Park Naming Contest!

Thank you to everyone who submitted name ideas for our splash park. The contest is now closed and our judges are having fun reviewing entries. Read our entry form for official contest rules.

The winner(s) will be notified in early June via phone or email.

Windjammer Park Improvements Are Underway

In mid-May we began work on new Phase 1 park improvements. Visit our Windjammer Park page for up-to-date information on what’s happening.

Bailey's Playground Update

The Oak Harbor community in partnership with the city is gearing up to upgrade Bailey's Playground, located adjacent to Windjammer Park. Over the years the ocean salt spray has aged the playground structures and now they are in need of repair and replacement. To learn more about this effort and support the rebuilding of the park please visit the Bailey's Playground gofundme.com webpage. To learn more about volunteer opportunities contact the Bailey's Playground fundraising chairperson, Ellen White, at 360-279-0615 or ellen@caneengineering.com.

Temporary Waterfront Trail Closure

A portion of the Waterfront Trail east of the bridge, near the new splash park, will be closed from Monday, January 28 through Sunday, February 3. The trail is expected to fully reopen Monday, February 4. During the temporary closure crews will rebuild this section of the path. Due to recent high tides and windstorms, we are unable to safely reroute the path in this area while we work. The beach will still be accessible at low tide. The community will be notified via email if any work dates change. To see a map visit our Construction page.

2018

Noticeable changes are on the way for Windjammer Park

Beginning on September 21, Oak Harbor residents will notice some big changes happening in Windjammer Park:

  • The Clean Water Facility is taking one step closer to completion by beginning the removal of the Whidbey Island Bank Building
  • The city is saying a fond farewell to the aging windmill structure in Windjammer Park
  • Construction is beginning on the new west kitchen and pavilion and the old west kitchen will be removed

For more information on the changes on the way for the park, check-out our September 20 construction update and our FAQs page.

Windjammer Park improvements are underway

In mid-May we began work on new Phase 1 park improvements. Visit our Windjammer Park page for up-to-date information on what’s happening.

Summer 2018 events

Special events in the city of Oak Harbor are underway and we want to make sure you know where to go! Detailed information about events is available on the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce website.

Hot off the press: check out our summer newsletter

Our summer newsletter has arrived! It includes a look at the Windjammer Park elements currently under construction and information on each of the new Clean Water Facility buildings. Check out the summer newsletter online here and on our Library page.

Phase 1 park improvements begin this spring: year-long park closure begins in May as work gets underway

To complete construction of the Clean Water Facility and begin Phase 1 improvements on the new Windjammer Park, the park will be closed mid-May 2018 through late spring 2019. During the closure:

  • Waterfront Trail, lagoon, and ballfields will remain open
  • As amenities are completed, sections of the park may reopen early
  • Parking lots and City Beach St will be closed
  • Parking will remain available on SE Bayshore Dr and SE Pioneer Way
  • Special events typically held in the park will be held at other locations

We will keep the community informed of the locations for special events through our weekly email updates, this website (here and on our Park page), and the City website. To sign up for our weekly updates, please email treatmentplant@oakharbor.org.

The City has many beautiful parks for you to explore with rental facilities available. Please visit the links below to learn more.

For more information about what will be included in Phase 1 of the Windjammer Park improvements check-out our Park page.

map of park closures

2017

Check out the updated Windjammer Park design!

It's time to see preliminary details and drawings, talk to project staff, and learn more. Join the project team any time on August 24 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at City Hall to view the updated Windjammer Park design.

Family Fun Day in Windjammer Park May 20!

Join the Public Works Department in celebrating Family Fun Day. Stop by Windjammer Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for family-friendly activities, including an opportunity to see construction and Public Works trucks in action.

Share your thoughts on the future Windjammer Park!

With construction well underway on the Clean Water Facility, it is time to design the park that will surround it for generations to come. Join us on January 12 at Skagit Valley College, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., to give feedback. You can also share your thoughts online January 12 - 26.

Portion of SE City Beach St closed Sept. 12 - Oct. 29

SE City Beach St will be closed between SE Bayshore Dr and the beach front starting Sept. 12. The Clean Water Facility team will install a pipe to connect the future facility to the outfall pipe in Oak Harbor Bay. Pedestrian detours will be maintained and marked. Work will occur during normal daytime hours. Please click here for more information.

Tower crane installed on site

The construction crew installed a 165-foot tower crane on site in May. The crane is helping lift materials in and out of the work area.

Windjammer Park Integration Plan approved by City Council

The Oak Harbor City Council approved the Windjammer Park Integration Plan on June 7, 2016. To watch the Council video or to learn more about how the community was involved in the process, please visit the Park page.

Thank you for joining us at Family Fun Day!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Family Fun Day in May. We had a blast celebrating the present and future of Oak Harbor Public Works with you.

Want to participate?

There will continue to be opportunities for public participation as design progresses and construction continues. Learn more about how to participate in the process or share your thoughts with us at treatmentplant@oakharbor.org.

2016

Join the Oak Harbor Public Works Department for Family Fun Day – Saturday, May 21

Come to Windjammer Park on May 21 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Family Fun Day. There will be free activities for kids and families, including seeing construction and Public Works trucks in action! Family Fun Day coincides with national Public Works Week, celebrating all that Public Works does for our community.

Contractor Forum – April 12, 1 – 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (155 NE Ernst St.)

Hoffman Construction is hosting a contractor forum for firms interested in learning more about subcontracting and vendor opportunities on the Clean Water Facility Project. To learn more, see the advertisement or visit our contact page.

Share your feedback online

Thanks to all who attended the in-person open house on March 29! If you missed the meeting, you can still share your thoughts on the future of Windjammer Park. Visit oakharborWPIP.publicmeeting.info to view the draft plan and give feedback. The website will be live until April 8.

You're invited! Windjammer Park Integration Plan Meeting and Open House – Tuesday, March 29

Join the community advisory group and project staff on Tuesday, March 29, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (155 NE Ernst St.) to observe advisory group proceedings, view the draft park plan and share your thoughts on the future of Windjammer Park. For more information, visit the Windjammer Park page.

Clean Water Facility to continue without community room

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, the Oak Harbor City Council voted for the Clean Water Facility to move ahead without inclusion of a community room. The full video from the city council workshop is available on our Library page.

Thank you!

Community members had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the future of Windjammer Park at the community advisory group meeting and public open house on February 4. Thank you to those who attended.

You're Invited! Windjammer Park Integration Plan Meeting and Open House – Thursday, Feb. 4

Join the community advisory group and project staff on Thursday, Feb. 4, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (155 NE Ernst St.) to observe advisory group proceedings and share your thoughts on the future of Windjammer Park. For more information, visit the Windjammer Park page.

Oak Harbor construction team continues wastewater facility excavation with successful local Tribe consultation.

For more information, read the full press release

Windjammer Park Integration Plan community advisory group holds first meeting

The community advisory group is meeting on Jan. 20 to discuss priorities for the park. To learn more about the community advisory group and the Windjammer Park Integration Plan, please visit the Windjammer Park page.

2015

City Council votes to incorporate community room in future Clean Water Facility

The Oak Harbor City Council voted to include a 250-person community room in the Clean Water Facility. The community room will be a valuable asset to all of Oak Harbor when the Facility is constructed. More information is available on the Library page.

Interested in shaping Windjammer Park's future?

The City is organizing a citizen advisory group for the Windjammer Park Integration plan, which will develop a long-term plan for the park. More information is available on the Participation page.

Thank you for conserving water

After the Nov. 17 groundbreaking ceremony, high levels of rainfall throughout the day overwhelmed the wastewater system, causing the city to issue an emergency Stage 4 water restriction. The restriction was lifted Nov. 18. Thank you for your patience during the restriction. Oak Harbor's future clean water facility will have greatly increased capacity and improved back-up systems, technology and equipment that will help to keep the system working during large weather events, like Tuesday's storm.

City and State officials celebrate beginning of facility construction

City officials, guests of honor, and staff commemorated the start of facility construction at a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 17. Thank you to all who celebrated with us!

You're invited! Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony on Nov. 17

Celebrate the beginning of facility construction with City officials, guests of honor, and staff. The ceremony will take place near the SE corner of City Beach Street and SE Pioneer Way at the location of the future Clean Water Facility on Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. All are welcome! Please follow the signs to parking and the ceremony site.

Project update at Sept. 30 Special City Council Workshop

Project staff will discuss a 60 percent project update at a Special City Council Workshop on Wednesday, September 30. The Workshop will be held at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge (155 NE Ernst St.) from 12 – 4 p.m.

Want more construction detail in person? You're invited to our community drop-in hours!

Join us at our community drop-in hours: September 14 and 28, October 12 and 26, November 9 and 23, and December 14, from 2 – 4 p.m. upstairs at the old Whidbey Island Bank building (321 SE Pioneer Way). Drop-in hours are opportunities to ask questions, talk to project staff, and hear the latest on construction.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts online!

The community had the opportunity to provide input on updated design concepts through our online open house, which was available from August 13 – 21. A summary of community input received both online and at our design open house will be presented to City Council at the workshop on Wednesday, August 26 and will be available on our library page soon.

Thank you to everyone who attended our August 12 design open house!

The project team presented updated design concepts and asked the community to share their thoughts. The full slideshow and boards for the meeting are available on the library page.

Want more construction detail in person? You're invited to our bi-weekly drop-in sessions?

Join us at our first “community drop-in hours”, this Monday, June 22 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. upstairs at the Old Whidbey Island Bank building (321 SE Pioneer Way). This will be an opportunity to ask questions, talk to project staff, and hear the latest on construction.

Site walk with City Council

At the June 17, 2015 City Council Workshop, the Clean Water Facility Project team walked the future site of the facility with City Council. Following the site walk, the team discussed the technical needs of the facility and provided an overview of the design workshops, Missed the meeting? The full slideshow and handouts are available on the library page.

Clean Water Facility Project on City Updates with Mayor Scott Dudley

On Friday, June 12, project staff joined Mayor Scott Dudley to provide an update about upcoming outfall construction. Check out this edition of Oak Harbor City Updates!

Updated design images presented at Design Workshop

On Wednesday, May 6 the City hosted a second design workshop to continue collecting community input on the architectural “look and feel” of the new facility. You may view the presentation and boards from the workshop, as well as a high-level summary. Once completed, the full summary from the workshop will be available on the project website and the home page announcements.

Second Design Group Workshop Wednesday, May 6

The City of Oak Harbor will be hosting a second design workshop on Wednesday, May 6 to continue to collect community input on the architectural “look and feel” of the new facility. This workshop will build on the work done by the group at the first design workshop, held on November 13, 2014. The workshop group is made up of individuals from Oak Harbor representing a variety of backgrounds and organizations. Following the workshop, the City will present a summary of the workshop and the results to City Council. If you have question about the design workshop or the project, please contact treatmentplant@oakharbor.org.

Project Team Presented at April 7 City Council Workshop

At the April 7, 2015 City Council Workshop the Clean Water Facility Project team presented a project update to City Council. Missed the meeting? The full slideshow is available on our project library page or watch the full video of the workshop and presentation.

Project Team to Present at City Council Workshop on Tuesday, April 7

On Tuesday, April 7 the Clean Water Facility Project team will present a project update to City Council. The workshop will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Harbor City Hall (865 SE Barrington). This is a chance to hear the latest news on the project, we hope to see you there!

Want to Participate?

There will continue to be opportunities for public involvement as the project transitions from planning into design. This helps us provide important project information to you, and also allows us to solicit your input and ideas as we make key decisions. Learn more about how to participate in the process or share your thoughts with us at treatmentplant@oakharbor.org.

March City Council Project Update

The City Council was updated on the Clean Water Facility Project on Tuesday, March 17. Read the City Council Project Update for the project's latest news on permitting, cost estimates and funding, and the design of the facility.

Summary Available from November Design Workshop

On November 13, 2014 the City hosted a design workshop to collect community input as they begin to develop the architectural “look and feel” of the new facility. Individuals from a variety of backgrounds and organizations participated. The input and feedback given to the City is captured in the Design Workshop Summary.

2014

Summary Available from November Design Workshop

On November 13, 2014 the City hosted a design workshop to collect community input as they began to develop the architectural “look and feel” of the new facility. Individuals from a variety of backgrounds and organizations participated. The input and feedback given to the City is captured in the Design Workshop Summary.

Get the Latest News on the Project

Read the June Project Update Newsletter for news on our recent work with the community and the selection of a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) for the project. Interested in receiving our monthly newsletters? Send an email to treatmentplant@oakharbor.org and we'll add you to the project notification list.

Open House and City Council Workshop: Wednesday, April 16

Join us at a Community Open House and City Council Workshop for an update on the City's Clean Water Project, and to find out how you can become more involved. We will discuss:

  • The background and current status of the City's acquisition of property adjacent Windjammer Park and the existing treatment plant.
  • An update on the City's plan to select a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) firm to help build the project.
  • An overall schedule update and opportunities for community involvement during final facility siting and design.

The meeting will be held at the Elks Lodge at 155 NE Ernst Street from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Final Facilities Plan archived on website

Once Ecology has processed their approval, a Final Wastewater Facilities Plan with Appendices will be available for review in the website Library.

SEPA Progress

The environmental review process is underway, according to the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act. Key documents and opportunities for public comment will occur in August and September 2013. Meeting documents are available for viewing.

Schedule update and forward momentum toward construction

The City of Oak Harbor has been granted approval from the Washington State Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) to use a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GCCM) firm to complete design on the planned wastewater treatment facility and move toward construction. Using a GCCM will allow for final design of the project to be informed by expertise of the contractor, resulting in a smoother construction process. The city expects to send the project out for GCCM bid in the near future, with the intent of having a firm on board in July 2014.

GC/CM Receives Final Approval from City Council

On July 1, 2014 the City Council voted to approve using Hoffman Construction as the City's General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) for the Clean Water Facility.

Hoffman Construction was selected based on qualifications and cost, according to a process prescribed by the State of Washington. Hoffman has extensive qualifications for water and wastewater construction, and completed similar projects for King County, Tacoma, and Everett using the GC/CM process. They will work closely with the City's staff and engineering consultants starting with the design process and throughout construction.

Windjammer vicinity field work complete

The field work that was taking place in and around Windjammer Park has been completed. Construction fencing has been removed and any trenches filled. The field work was used to collect information for project design and engineering. With the results and completion of this field work, the City of Oak Harbor has authorized the execution of the purchase and sale agreement of commercial property, currently owned by Whidbey Island Bank, directly north of the Windjammer facility.

2013

Fresh Look!

Our website is being revised to better communicate information associated with the next project phase, preliminary and final design. All content from the planning and environmental review phase is still accessible in the Library, but keep an eye out for more updates throughout the fall.

Draft Facilities Plan Available for Viewing

As of March 2013, draft copies of the Wastewater Facilities Plan are available for public review at City of Oak Harbor facilities including the public library, City Hall, and Public Works. Electronic versions are available in the Library. Once the document is finalized, an archive copy will be available in the Library.

2010

Public Forum

A public forum was held on Monday, December 6, to gather public input on the potential locations, the facility siting decision-making process and the factors used to select an alternative. View the PowerPoint presentation to learn more.