LYNNWOOD — The opening of the city’s new recreation center is getting close.
A larger, renovated $25.5 million recreation center remains on schedule to open in April. And now people can see part of the fun: Giant twisty blue and green tubes, part of two water slides, were added last week on the outside of the pool building at 18900 44th Ave. W.
“They’re very close to being done. There’s a little bit left to do,” said Bill Haugen, aquatic supervisor with Lynnwood Parks and Recreation.
The two slides, constructed by Whitewater West Industries, are different because they exit and enter the building through its glass windows, Haugen added.
Two riders will be able to slide down the 205-foot slide at a time using an innertube. Riders will exit and re-enter the building as they slide down the temperature-controlled tube into a 3.5-foot deep pool. The second, a steeper and faster body slide, is built for one rider and is 170 feet long, according to Amy Collins, aquatic assistant supervisor with Lynnwood Parks and Recreation.
People won’t have to be able to swim to use the slides, but, sadly, there is a height requirement for sliders.
People can check their speed of each trip down the slide, Collins added.
“We have a timing display on them so you can time yourself, which is pretty fun,” Collins said.
The 33-year-old Lynnwood Recreation Center closed in December 2009. Construction on the new facility in the same location began last February.
More than 16,200 additional square feet and new features are being added during the remodel. Altogether, the new recreation center will have 44,800 square feet. It will offer a weight room and fitness studio, new locker rooms and seven private family changing rooms, new pools and a partially retractable pool roof on the existing lap pool. When it opens, visitors at the center will also find an upgraded lap pool, a new sauna, an adult hot tub, family hot tub and warm-water wellness pool. The new recreation pool will include the two slides, a wading area and riverlike currents.
As many as 80 part-time staff could be hired to work at the pool, Haugen said.
“It’s going to be fun, and it’s going to be challenging,” he said. “There’s a whole new world of staffing that’s going to be involved. I’m hoping to bring out all the lifeguards and swim instructors I can.”
City staff is scheduled to begin moving into the new building in March, said Katie Anderson, assistant director of Parks and Recreation. A specific date for the opening of the recreation center hasn’t been decided.
“We are evaluating the schedule for pool start-up and equipment start-up and staff training,” Anderson said. “We haven’t settled on a final grand opening date.”
Hours of operation for the new recreation center are planned from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There are no membership or joining fees at the Lynnwood Recreation Center. Visitors can purchase passes or pay daily admission fees of $3.50 for kids ages 2 to 12; $4 for teens ages 13 to 17; $4.50 for adults ages 18 to 61 and $3.50 for senior ages 62 and older. A family of up to five with at least one adult will pay a flat $13 admission fee.
The city’s preschool program and arts classes are being offered in the North Administration Building, 19000 44th Ave, W. until the new center opens. The building located on the city’s municipal campus serves as the temporary location of the weight room. Fitness classes have also been relocated to the Lynnwood Senior Center at 5800 198th St. SW while the recreation center is being built.
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
Learn more
For more information about the new Lynnwood Recreation Center, call 425-670-5732 or go to tinyurl.com/ recreationcenter.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
