Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center closed until Sept. 21

King County Parks is using this time to replace the building’s the natatorium skylights.

By Mirror Staff • July 23, 2020 1:30 am

King County Parks moved up a project to replace the natatorium skylights in the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center during an ongoing closure related to COVID-19.

Work on the skylights began July 14; the project was originally set to start in August.

King County Parks closed aquatic center in March along with all of its parks, trails and other facilities, as part of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued by Gov. 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 the aquatic center 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 aquatic center on Sept. 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 the aquatic center, was a key element of the levy, which was approved by King County voters in August 2019 by 70 percent.

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center 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 kingcounty.gov/parks/WKCAC and to learn more about King County Parks’ COVID response, visit kingcountyparks.org/COVID.