Residents in both the north and south ends of Highline will have easy access to a swimming pool as the Highline School Board approved March 24 operation agreements for the Evergreen and Mt. Rainier pools.
The agreement with White Water Aquatics Management means the Evergreen pool, located at 606 S.W. 116th St. in North Highline, will reopen on or before May 1.
White Water officials said they hope to release a calendar of activities including spring swimming lessons by April 5. They are busy making repairs and planning for a spring break scrub-and-paint marathon. The pool's new name is Evergreen Community Aquatic Center.
The group is an outgrowth of the Whitewater Aquatics swim team.
They raised over $50,000 in private donations after the pool was mothballed in August. Unlike Mt. Rainier pool, Evergreen will not receive public funding through a special taxing district.
King County has agreed to pay the Highline School District $100,000 for capitol improvements and operation of the pool.
The county has transferred ownership of the pool to the school district. However, district officials said the district does not have the financial resources or capabilities to keep the pool open so board members approved the agreement with White Water to operate the pool through Dec. 31.
The district and White Water are working on a long-term lease.
Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain told board members the final elements of the agreement relating to the pool's deteriorating roof have not been finalized but the board voted to allow Superintendent John Welch to negotiate the remaining details.
White Water head coach Joel Schweiger thanked the school district and pool supporters at the March 24 board meeting.
"I am really excited about the possibilities of the Evergreen pool," Schweiger declared.
Referring to planned swim lessons, Schweiger added, "Our main goal is to prevent drownings in this area surrounded by water."
Board members also OK'd an agreement with the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District to operate the Mt. Rainier Pool in Des Moines.
Des Moines voters approved the formation of the pool district and elected commissioners in November. The pool and school districts are negotiating a long-term lease to allow the pool district to acquire title to the pool, lease the land, manage, maintain, improve and operate the pool.
While the long-term lease is worked out, school board members approved the operating agreement that runs from April 1 through Dec. 31.
Marty Martinson, Des Moines pool commission president, thanked the school district for its "vision" in helping to keep the pool open.
Responding to supporters of both pools, board president Bernie Dorsey said, "We are faced with many difficult decisions but these pools were fun things."
