College pool to stay dry for now
Published 9:00 pm Sunday, January 1, 2006
EVERETT – The Everett Community College pool, closed since 2002 because of a deteriorating roof and general disrepair, isn’t likely to open any time soon.
The college doesn’t have the money to fix it and has other pressing building needs, college leaders said.
“Part of the reason we haven’t done anything is we need to identify funding to do that, and we have tried to deal with other priorities first,” said Michael Kerns, EvCC vice president for administrative services.
Built in 1961, the 25-meter, six-lane heated indoor pool was closed in September 2002 on the recommendation of a structural engineer and city building officials.
The pool had been home to 19 classes for EvCC students and the community each year. That was about 250 people using the pool each quarter, with about 60 percent being senior or disabled residents.
Estimates exceed $400,000 for a new roof. The college does not have estimates for renovating the actual pool.
Paul Blowers, a retired EvCC physical education instructor, has urged the college to look for creative ways to reopen the pool, which, he said, was built with voter-approved funding.
He points to a 2004 EvCC Board of Trustees resolution that encourages physical education and maintaining facilities.
The resolution reads, in part:
“We believe that academic course offerings in health and physical education are uniquely important during this time of health and physical challenge in our society.
“Life style and health education should be a part of the core area requirement for two-year degree programs. This college should maintain facilities, which enable student to learn and enjoy intramural and recreational sports.”
The college has aggressive plans to rebuild and expand the campus with the help of state capital budget allocations. Unfortunately, Kerns said, it doesn’t provide money to rebuild swimming pool facilities.
The college has provided some money for a regional study of recreational needs in the area, possibly including a pool, he said.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
