Unless a big chunk of change is raised in the next two weeks, Orcas Rec may be shutting its doors.

“The county cut all of its the funding to the program in 2009, and donations are less this year. But I don’t want to see it close, which is what will happen if some donations don’t come in,” Dona Wuthnow, Director of San Juan County Parks and Recreation, said.

Wuthnow is hoping that if the Orcas Parks and Rec District is approved by voters in the Nov. 3 election, Orcas Rec will have enough funds to make an easy transition.

“We’re trying to appeal to the community until the election to see if the parks district is created,” Wuthnow said. “What I would love to see is a smooth transition of Orcas Rec from the county program to the parks district. In order for a smooth transition, the community will need to help.”

If approved, the Orcas Parks and Rec district would be governed by five commissioners, who, once elected, would create a budget and work with the community on a levy that would then go before the voters. It would be some time before that comes to fruition, so Wuthnow says Orcas Rec needs between $3,000 and $5,000 in the next two weeks, and $28,000 by the end of 2009 to survive.

“This is pretty urgent,” she said. “I’m really pleased with Linda Sheridan coming on as the new director, and I want to keep providing these programs to Orcas until things have settled. If we don’t see more donations in the next few weeks, we’ll have to discuss closing its doors.”

Now in its 17th year, Orcas Rec offers programs for children of all ages in sports, music, field trips, arts and crafts, theater, and more.

“I want to see the program continue, but it has to be funded and the county just hasn’t been able to support it. There is definitely the demand and the need on Orcas for the program,” Wuthnow said.

Donations for the Orcas Island Recreation Program can be mailed to PO Box 1644, Eastsound WA 98245.