Relations are going swimmingly between the Navy and the publicly-owned John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool. So much so that Navy retirees and dependents can now swim at a reduced rate.

Navy spouses, for example, and retirees can swim at Oak Harbor’s pool for only $1.50, less than half the regular price of $3.25.

It’s been about a month since the Navy and the pool’s owner, the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District, amended the swimming contract to include dependents and retirees.

“We’ve been extremely surprised at the participation,” said John Carlson, pool director, on Thursday. So far, 714 military dependent and retiree uses of the discount swims have been recorded.

Carlson hastens to add that the recreation district isn’t giving anyone special financial favors. The Navy swimmers are putting as much into the pool as civilians, thanks to a subsidy from the Navy.

Although retirees and dependents pay only $1.50, the Navy kicks in another $1.13 per swim to bring the total to $2.63. That’s the amount any swimmer would pay who takes advantage of the pool’s discount for purchasing ten swims.

“It’s the same as a ten-punch pass,” Carlson said.

Navy dependents and retirees sign in when they enter the pool building. At the end of the month, a bill is sent to the Navy.

The recreation district and Navy’s first agreement took effect in October 2005, covering only active duty personnel. “We developed a rate that would be fair to anyone within the community,” Carlson said. For active-duty personnel swimming is free so they can meet the semi-annual physical readiness test. The Navy reimburses the recreation district the full $2.63 per use. Sailors who don’t want to swim 450 meters have the option of running 1.5 miles.

Sharing the public pool evolved after the Navy shut down its own pool, built in 1958, and used the site for a new water survival training facility. Navy personnel often swim to meet standards, or they choose to swim to stay in shape. Some simply want to learn to swim. “Some of these Navy guys can’t swim that good,” Carlson said with a chuckle. “They didn’t even know the pool was here.”

Now that they do, they’re making use of it morning ‘til night. Lap swimmers can be found as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m.

Carlson roughly estimates that the Navy’s business has increased pool usage by 10 percent overall. He welcomes the additional customers and revenue.

“We see it as a win-win,” he said. “They don’t have to invest in building a pool and it gives us additional revenue.”

There’s also a social benefit, according to Carlson, as Navy people mix with others on a friendly basis. “It gets the military involved with the rest of the community,” he said.

Kimberly Martin, Navy public affairs officer, said the contract extension to include retirees and dependents “reflects the Navy’s Fitness for Life programs and dedication to improving quality of life for the whole Navy family, active duty and retired.”

In April, before the program covered dependents and retirees, the Navy paid the recreation district $2,530.92 for 966 active duty swims.

The six-lane John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool is stretched to its program limits, offering lap swimming, water exercises, recreational swims, family swims, swimming lessons, high school and college swimming, and even kayak and scuba lessons.

“We’re looking at our options for expanding,” Carlson said. The recreation district is negotiating a new lease agreement with the city that might include a larger area to allow expansion. Next year an architect may be hired to come up with ideas.