For nearly 40 years the Tukwila Pool has stood at 144th St. in Tukwila as a staple of its community.

Now, this structure is facing closure as the economic downturn reaches Tukwila.

At a Tukwila City Council meeting on August 9, the council heard a presentation about the status of the pool. It has been determined that "it is not feasible for the city to continue to support funding pool operations."

Some options were laid out before the Council as to how the pool could be saved from closure.

The first option would involve establishing a Metropolitan Park District. This, according to the City's Economic Development Administrator, is a "form of government authorized by the Washington State Legislature. It could get funding by levying a property tax with voter approval."

An MPD may "be created for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities," according to council meeting documents.

If the MPD does not pass, there are still other alternatives that were described to the Council.

One option would be to transfer the operating responsibilities to a third party, another being to "contract subsidized services with another pool." An example given to the Council was to make an arrangement with the SeaTac YMCA, allowing Tukwila residents to be able to participate in swimming programs there at a lower rate.

A grassroots effort to save the pool has also been taking shape. Although the City Council cannot take part in this, they recommend it.

"We are looking for ways and opportunities to keep the pool open," said Council president Dennis Robertson.

At the August 9 meeting, residents taking part in this effort spoke on behalf of the pool, stating why it is personally important to them.
One woman, Ellen Gengler, spoke on the value the pool has to the residents of Tukwila.

"The Tukwila Pool offers our residents a gentle, effective form of exercise," she said. "It also fosters community: introducing neighbors, sharing meals, establishing friendships."

Gengler stated she has formed a writing group with a fellow swimmer and has also recruited some of her friends from the pool to "cat sit" when she is out of town.

"In our city, with so many challenges, it is important to cultivate community and wellness when we have the opportunity," she said.

Another Tukwila resident, Georgina Kerr, shared a story explaining why the pool was important to her and her health.

After suffering a stroke at the age of 59, Kerr could not walk or speak clearly; however, she said she could not wait to get back into the pool. It "offered her a chance to heal."

"I couldn't think straight. I couldn't swim in a straight line; I kept swimming in circles," she said. "I couldn't remember peoples' names or who they were, but one thing is certain, the specific physical benefits that I only get from swimming: easy stretching, muscle toning, complete relaxation, kept me at the pool five days a week and kept my doctor encouraging me to continue what I was doing because I was improving so rapidly."

Kerr added that if the Tukwila Pool had not been available, she would have been out of luck, because there was "no way she could have understood or remembered directions to a pool in a nearby city."

The grassroots effort taking form has now got a Facebook page set up at facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Tukwila-Pool. Ellen Gengler says people may also contact her at Lngnglr@gmail.com or call her at 206-372-3316.

"I think the biggest challenge facing the ability to save the pool is flat revenue and skyrocketing expenses," says Gengler. "We are currently speaking with the group operating the Evergreen Pool, which is operating as a MPD."

Gengler encourages interested people to contact her about joining the effort to save the Tukwila Pool.