Letter Opinion 1970 No. 034

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                                                                  March 17, 1970
 
 
 
Honorable L. Edward Brown
Prosecuting Attorney
Grays Harbor County
P.O. Box 529
Montesano, Washington 98563
                                                                                                               Cite as:  AGLO 1970 No. 34
 
 
Dear Sir:
 
            We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 13, 1970, requesting our opinion on a question pertaining to the authority of a park and recreation district organized under chapter 36.69 RCW to provide for leisure time facilities in the nature of gymnasiums and arts and crafts centers.
 
            RCW 36.69.010 reads as follows:
 
            "Park and recreation districts are hereby authorized to be formed in each and every class of county as municipal corporations for the purpose of providing leisure time activities and facilities, including swimming pools, of a nonprofit nature as a public service to the residents of the geographical areas included within their boundaries."
 
                                                                     ANALYSIS
 
            We can see no reason why the authority granted by this statute could not be used to provide leisure time facilities in the nature of gymnasiums and arts and crafts centers.
 
            In addition, we would call your attention to the provisions of RCW 36.68.090 (codifying § 11, chapter 144, Laws of 1967, Ex. Sess.).  This statute reads as follows:
 
            "Any county, acting through its board of county commissioners, is empowered to build, construct, care for, control, supervise, improve, operate and maintain parks, playgrounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, field houses, bathing beaches, stadiums, golf courses, automobile race tracks and drag strips, coliseums for the display of spectator sports, public campgrounds, boat ramps  [[Orig. Op. Page 2]] and launching sites, public hunting and fishing areas, arboretums, bicycle and bridle paths, and other recreational facilities, and to that end may make, promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations regarding the use thereof, and make such charges for the use thereof, as may be deemed by said board to be reasonable."
 
            It is hoped that the foregoing will be of some assistance to you.
 
Very truly yours,
 
FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
 
 
Philip H. Austin
Assistant Attorney General