Summary

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center -- shut down since March due to the COVID-19 outbreak – will remain closed as a capital improvement project to replace the natatorium skylights begins July 14.

Story

King County Parks moved up a project to replace the natatorium skylights in the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center (WKCAC) during an ongoing closure related to COVID-19. Work on the skylights will begin July 14; the project was originally set to start in August.

King County Parks closed WKCAC in March along with all of its parks, trails and other facilities, as part of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued by Governor Jay Inslee in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The state Department of Health recently issued guidance that outlines the requirements for re-opening pools under the state’s Safe Start plan. After careful evaluation of the mitigation required and resources needed to re-open the facility, King County Parks decided to keep WKCAC closed at this time.

King County Parks had already decided to move up the schedule for a planned facility closure to replace the natatorium skylights, which have reached the end of their engineered life.

King County Parks estimates that it will re-open the facility on September 21, pending project completion and the county’s Safe Start status. As that date approaches, visitors should call the facility at 206-477-4444 for information about the re-opening.

Funding for this project is made possible by the 2020-2025 King County Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy. Taking care of important but aging infrastructure, such as the skylights at WKCAC, was a key element of the levy, which was approved by King County voters in August 2019 by 70 percent.

WKCAC was built in 1990 for the Goodwill Games and hosts more than 40 regional, national, and international competitions and events annually. It offers swimming lessons, open swimming hours, exercise programs, and a banquet hall that can be reserved for private events.

For more information about the facility, visit www.kingcounty.gov/parks/WKCAC and to learn more about King County Parks’ COVID response, visit kingcountyparks.org/COVID.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Logan Harris, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-477-4516

RELEVANT LINKS

www.kingcounty.gov/parks/WKCAC

kingcountyparks.org/COVID

ABOUT KING COUNTY PARKS

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 200 parks and 28,000 acres of open space, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, 215 miles of backcountry trails and a world-class aquatic center. King County Parks cultivates strong partnerships with public, private, and non-profit entities that leverage public dollars, enhance public recreation opportunities, and involve King County residents in the stewardship of King County’s open space and recreation assets.