Note:  The most recent version of this proposal is now available in this post.

Seattle needs to take a comprehensive urban planning approach to pools, just like it did for skate parks 2 years ago. We need a Comprehensive Aquatics Plan.  Getting a plan funded in this biannual city budget (Fall 2008) is essential for getting pools into the next facilities/pools levy (as recommended by the City Council’s Levy Advisory Committee) in 2010.

Here’s how the timing works:  Plans of this scope generally take 2 years, once it is complete, pool supporters will be able to apply for private funding, and state grants (most of which have a two year cycle.)) Only by getting planning dollars into the budget this year will we have plans and matching funds in place when the next facilities/pools levy takes shape in 2010.  Without a plan, pools will be absent from yet another levy.

A Comprehensive Aquatics Plan for Seattle

A Comprehensive Aquatics Plan will address how our city can cost-effectively meet its citizens’ needs for swimming facilities and programming. Its recommendations may include new facilities and/or retrofitting existing facilities to meet evolving needs (e.g., slides for teens or warm water therapy pools for seniors that double as teaching pools for kids). The plan would provide the consensus and concrete vision for improving our pool system.  It is a required step towards obtaining pool funding through a future Parks levy, matching state grants and community fund-raising efforts.

  • Evolving Needs. This considers the needs of changing demographics (e.g., increasing numbers of seniors) and evolving health needs (e.g., increasing of obesity among kids and increasing focus of all citizens on healthy activities).
  • Gaps in Service. This includes issues of site distribution and equity:
    • Outdoor: The only 2 outdoor pools are on the far west side of the city.  The recent pool study says "a future priority site should probably be located east of I-5 to balance the location with existing pools."
    • ADA Ramp Access: There is no graduated-entry public pool in all of Seattle. Fircrest is no longer open to the public.
    • Warm water pools. Needed for therapy and lessons. Existing pools at 85 degrees are too cold for therapy and too hot for laps.
    • Lessons. Kids are being turned away. Many pools are over-subscribed for lessons while the rest are at capacity today. For figures, see the pool study.
    • Hours. Today’s pools are used at capacity. Hours available for many healthful activities are curtailed.
    • Slides. Adding modern equipment to pools would increase their attractiveness to teens, a population shown to be underserved in the Parks strategic plan.
    • 50 meter pools. The city’s only public 50-meter pool is only open in the summer.
    • Water polo.  Requires deep water.
  • Major Facility Maintenance. Many existing pools are 30-50 years old and use water and energy inefficiently. New systems may be needed for cost and resource efficiency.  Preventative maintenance results in long-term cost savings.
  • Major Facility Renovation. Evans and Rainier Beach pools require renovation and possible replacement. Broad estimates for those costs must be refined before funding can be obtained through a future capital levy.
  • Major Facility Addition. The Parks Dept.’s preliminary pool study identified four city-owned sites where pools can be added to add capacity.  Government support and significant planning (community, design & engineering) are required before funding can be obtained for any of these sites.
  • Cost Efficiency. The two modern pools in the Seattle area with high cost-efficiency numbers (87% outdoor and 78% indoor) attract a wide variety of citizens through concurrent programming. Future pool planning can leverage this information to incorporate cost-effective designs and features into future or remodeled pools.

Study Cost Estimate: $375,000

  • Urban Planning: $75,000
  • Design (including architectural services and life-cycle facility planning): $100,000
  • Engineering (looking at site-specific constraints and solutions): $100,000
  • Parks staff time (12-18 mo): $100,000

Bottom Line:  This is the right time to evaluate the state of aquatic facilities in Seattle, given the deficits identified in the preliminary pool study that was completed by the Parks Department this spring. Furthermore, the review of potential projects for the upcoming Parks levy revealed such a lack of well-costed plans for pool improvements that no funds of any kind for swimming pools will be included in this levy (including UV treatment to kill cryptosporidium). You can see our modest, failed proposals for the levy here and our testimony on pool planning at several levy hearings here and here.