Angel: Polar Bears may not ‘plunge’

Despite a report in the Tacoma News Tribune last week that the Olalla Polar Bear Plunge would receive the support of the Kitsap County Commissioners to continue as usual, South Kitsap Commissioner Jan Angel said neither the commissioners nor their staff have decided how — or if — the annual event will proceed.

“Now that we’re owners (of the property), there’s a lot of different things we have to look at differently now,” Angel said. “Our new Facilities, Parks and Recreation director, Mark Mauren, just got into office, and I feel that it’s his determination to make.”

In August, the county purchased the Olalla Boat Launch and several acres surrounding it. Used year-round by fishermen and other boat owners, the area is also the site where hundreds of people choose to ring in the New Year by “plunging” off the bridge into the frigid waters of Olalla Bay.

“We know this site is very popular with the public, which is why the county purchased it,” said Joseph Coppo, a planner with the county’s parks department, who explained at the time of the purchase that county officials would like “all activities to continue on the site.”

“It really is a matter of risk assessment,” Coppo said. “I personally hope (the plunge) can continue, and I’m sure the county will find some way that it can.”

On Monday, Angel said she is still discussing the matter with several staff members, including Mauren, county attorney Kevin Howell, and Mark Abernathy, the county’s risk management director.

Angel said certain modifications to the event are being considered, such as having participants walk into the water rather jump, and having law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel on hand to direct traffic and treat any injured parties.

“The idea would be that the county would ensure a safe experience,” she said, explaining that if the county did provide such services, there would be additional costs, however.

To help cover those expenses, Angel said the county is considering asking local businesses or others to sponsor the event.

Angel said she is not aware of any resolution regarding the event that the commissioners will be voting on, and could not give an estimate as to when exactly a decision will be made.

“It is still very much a work in progress,” she said, “(though) we certainly would like to keep the event. It’s been a long-standing tradition, the only new issue is we now own the launch, so it does create a liability.”

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