- 8/26/2010 - Celebrate the Grand Opening of Discovery Pond
- 8/26/2010 - Park District partnership with Goodwill STEPS program benefits both youth and the community
- 8/26/2010 - Park Board to explore healthy foods policy
- 7/30/2010 - Audit report: 11 years with no findings
- 7/30/2010 - Garfield Park is temporarily closed during 2005 Park Improvement Bond construction work
- 7/16/2010 - Vote Daily for Dog Park Video!
- 6/30/2010 - Tacoma resident is one of 59 contestants vying for half-million dollar donation
- 6/18/2010 - Life Jacket Program at Point Defiance Marina
- 5/28/2010 - Vision Presented for Restoration of People’s Pool
- 5/28/2010 - Point Defiance Kiosk Relocation and Rejuvenation
Vision Presented for Restoration of People’s Pool
May 28, 2010
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The People's Center Steering Committee presented a concept design to the Board of Park Commissioners and Tacoma City Council for the community's desired renovation of People's Pool.
Structural issues were discovered within the walls surrounding the pool when infrared readings were taken of the building as part of the 2005 Park Improvement Bond work done at the center. The readings, which indicated severe deterioration of the rebar supports within the walls of the pool area as well as roof issues in that area of the center, prompted a joint decision on May 28, 2008 to close the pool which is currently owned by the City of Tacoma and operated by Metro Parks.
Several improvements to the building were deemed necessary to restore and reopen the pool area and in 2008, the Tacoma City Council appropriated $3 million in capital funding for renovation. Under the leadership of Tacoma City Council Member Lauren Walker and Victoria Woodards who at that time was serving as President of the Metro Parks Board, a citizen's steering committee was formed to provide community input about updates to the center.
An immediate challenge the group faced was that the pool area which was added to the center in 1979 does not comply with current ADA laws, so simply replacing the walls, roof and air handling system was not an option.
Significant expansion of the decking surrounding the rectangular pool would be needed to bring it into compliance and would reduce its size to just two lap lanes. Recognizing the lack of useful benefits this approach to the renovation would provide, the steering committee developed a concept for a pool which would not only comply with the law, but also best serve the needs of the community.
In late May following a year-long visioning process, committee chair Fletcher Jenkins, Metro Parks' Director of Recreation Shon Sylvia, and members of the steering committee, presented a design concept to the Board of Park Commissioners and Tacoma City Council.
The concept calls for expansion of the pool's footprint for ADA compliance, as well as the addition of a zero depth entry into the pool as a benefit to users of all ages from toddlers to seniors, as well individuals with reduced mobility and those engaging in water exercise for physical therapy.
The committee shared that the addition of windows and a slide, along with integration of the indoor pool with outdoor spray features would create dynamic year round benefits for pool users. Jenkins stated that the neighborhood would receive a secondary benefit of having a community center with a welcoming and inviting exterior that would contribute to the renewal of the Upper Tacoma area.
The Tacoma City Council affirmed its $3 million commitment and directed the Public Works Department to begin the design development phase of the project based on the concepts presented. The design phase will determine the projected cost for the renovation, at which time the team will explore partnership and grant opportunities for additional financing that may be needed to complete the project
"The kids in our neighborhood are so excited by this project that they told us they want to hold carwashes and bake sales to help make it happen", Jenkins told Park Commissioners.