EVERETT — The city of Everett is considering what to do with the long-closed Forest Park pool.
Depending on how big a renovation project is contemplated, it could be in line for a big upgrade. The city believes its population is increasing enough to need two available pools in its future, parks director Bob Leonard told a City Council committee last week.
The city has a deal with the YMCA giving residents access to swim at the Everett Y's two pools at 4730 Colby Ave. without an annual membership.
The city closed the Forest Park Swim Center at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. It's been drained and winterized since, Leonard said.
It closed as a budget cut. The pool consistently operated at a loss, capturing under 60% of its operating costs in its best years, Leonard said.
The Forest Park pool feasibility study should begin sometime next month after the City Council approves the hiring contract, city spokeswoman Simone Tarver said. It should take 90 days to complete.
The study's questions will include how the Everett Y pool is affecting business, how much it would cost to reopen the Forest Park Swim Center at 802 E. Mukilteo Boulevard, whether this is the best location since the Everett Y is close by in central Everett, and what amenities are desired for a future second pool.
The Forest Park pool had 44,000 drop-in entries in one of its last years of operation. The city parks department estimates there were about 5,000 regular users.
The Snohomish Aquatic Center, for comparison, reports having more than 108,000 drop-in entries for open recreational swim and lap swim last year, and 161 people bought annual passes.
Other, newer pools have features Forest Park lacks, such as a "lazy river" feature where people float. The Forest Park pool was good for lap swimmers, and has a sauna, but wasn't deep.
Forest Park pool is older than many other pools in the area. It opened in April 1976, and was enclosed with a permanent structure in 1984.
Council committee meeting discussing Forest Park pool:
