Children enjoyed activities, safety procedures and learning opportunities in partnership with Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center programs in the summer of 2022.

As we move through the process of bringing a much-needed facility like the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center we have encountered misinformation and unfortunate opposition. I am writing this letter to help this community with clarity.

I would like to start by laying out the facts about the community center.

Why we chose the Port of Ilwaco.

1. Economic Development

a. Families are increasingly moving towards the south end of the Peninsula which makes this a convenient spot for programs. In addition, half of our schools in Ocean Beach School District are in Ilwaco.

b. The Port of Ilwaco is centrally located enough to draw Naselle, Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside populations for events and activities.

c. The Port of Ilwaco’s Master Development Plan includes the development of a community center project.

d. The community center will increase awareness and foot traffic to the Port of Ilwaco and its businesses. By offering activities, like youth basketball tournaments, business retreat meetings, indoor Saturday markets, and sportsman shows. This is much needed economic development for the City of Ilwaco and the Port of Ilwaco.

2. Safety for our children

a. The space is located within walking distance to the Tsunami Evacuation Zone. Our children will be to an evacuation zone in 5 minutes or less.

b. Also, the placement of the port, located to the east of the bluff which buffers the Port from direct access to the Pacific Ocean. Meaning, if we were to have a tsunami event, we would have more time to get our children to safety as the port is protected from a direct hit and would slowly back fill with water from the Columbia River side.

3. Employment and Child Care

a. By offering a 10-hour-a-day childcare facility, Ocean Beach Hospital will be able to recruit providers to this area knowing that there is childcare and activities for their providers’ families within less than a mile distance. This brings a major offering to our community of enhanced health care and increased services that can be offered.

b. By offering more childcare to this community, as well as nature-based preschool, we will be able to help fill a huge gap in childcare and allow parents to re-enter the workforce and help build our economy. One of the biggest challenges in Pacific County and around the United States is work force labor issues related to inadequate childcare opportunities. The Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center will improve this immediately.

I hope this information gives some clarity to those who either have been misinformed or those looking for more information on the project.

In closing, I would like to point out that a letter written in last week’s Chinook Observer paper by Ilwaco City Council Candidate position 4, Richard Rubio, claimed he was “not against the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center.” I find that statement interesting, as Mr. Rubio led the charge to file a petition against the community center, titled “Stop the Building of a child center / Community Center at the port of Ilwaco,” and delivered the petition in person to the port commissioners at the July 5, 2022, port meeting.

For more information regarding the community center project, follow this link: www.djhcc.org/facility.

Thank you for all your support with this once in a lifetime opportunity to help our community and carry on the legacy of our beloved Dylan.