information from Seattle Parks

Seattle Parks and Recreation will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. at Southwest Pool to celebrate the grand opening of the new fitness room at the facility.

The fitness room provides increased access to health and fitness spaces to support overall fitness and reduced risk of chronic diseases caused by inactivity. Community members, partnership organizations, swimmers and Southwest Pool staff are invited to attend the event.

The Southwest Pool fitness room project began following a proposal from the Southwest Advisory Council in April 2006. The room was originally an unutilized space following the completion of the gym at the then Southwest Community Center. Construction and planning was led by Seattle Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Southwest Advisory Council and Ravenna-Eckstine Advisory Council and the Associated Recreation Council.

The fitness room was completed in December 2015 and provides machines for weight training (powered by compressed air), stretch bands and balance discs, and space for static stretching. The space will allow for community members and regular swimmers to diversify their workouts while still in the same facility, decreasing the risk of overuse injuries and promoting cross-training.

The fitness room is located at the south/shallow end of the pool deck. Hours of operation are identical to Southwest Pool hours of operation and may change quarterly based on public program schedules.

Southwest Pool is located at 2801 SW Thistle St., Seattle, 98126. Visit the following website for pool hours and information: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/swpool.htm.