Centrum is pursuing every opportunity to continue to run its festivals and programs at Fort Worden State Park throughout 2025. In order to do so, we are considering independently servicing accommodations for our workshop attendees and arranging independent food solutions for them.  This would mean taking on these responsibilities (temporarily) as Fort Worden Hospitality, the previous provider, is ceasing operations effective January 16th. There is no immediate successor to Fort Worden Hospitality in sight.

The financial impact on Centrum of assuming these additional responsibilities is presently unknown but may well result in us needing to raise more money from our supporters so we can continue to keep our workshops affordable.  Because of the community’s strong affiliation for and appreciation of Centrum’s cultural (and economic) benefit to our region, we trust that our supporters will help us.

It seems likely that State Parks will once again assume responsibility for managing Fort Worden.  Centrum has had extensive meetings with State Parks and is optimistic that we will be able to reach the necessary arrangements that can facilitate our ongoing workshops and festivals.

In short, while there remain uncertainties surrounding Fort Worden, we are working hard to make arrangements that will allow us to continue to meet the needs of our workshop participants and concert and festival attendees as well as our Port Townsend and Jefferson County community in a similar outstanding fashion as we have for 50 years.

Centrum operated for 40 years in direct partnership with Washington State Parks prior to the advent of the PDA. We look forward to their continued support as everyone on the campus plans for a stronger future together.

If we can quickly resolve outstanding matters with State Parks and clarify how we could handle food and lodging for our workshop attendees, then we can open enrollment for our 2025 programs by the end of January. We will post updates at www.centrum.org.