Shoreline Pool Facility Exploration Project

Share Shoreline Pool Facility Exploration Project on Facebook Share Shoreline Pool Facility Exploration Project on Twitter Share Shoreline Pool Facility Exploration Project on Linkedin Email Shoreline Pool Facility Exploration Project link
Kids swimming in an indoor swimming pool with pool noodles.

Overview

In March 2024, the City Council directed staff to explore the possibility of a 2026 ballot measure to build, run, and maintain a new public indoor pool facility. The facility would be located a few blocks north of City Hall where there is currently a storage facility. The City’s 2025-2026 Biennial Budget funds the exploration project and staff began the work in early 2025. This project builds on years of public input and previous efforts to build a new pool.

A 2019 Parks and Pool bond measure asked voters if they wanted to fund a new 75,000 square foot pool, recreation, and community center (see details below). The 2019 measure received a majority “Yes” vote (54%) but did not receive the required 60% “Yes” vote needed to pass a bond measure. Residents continue to express interest in a new pool that meets the community’s needs while not overburdening taxpayers.

The City is now exploring the possibility of a new pool-only facility that would be smaller in overall size than the facility proposed in 2019. The facility would include an 8-lane lap pool, a warmer water recreation pool, and additional features and amenities. The new facility would not include sport courts and other gym spaces. Spartan Recreation Center would continue to be the City’s primary recreation center, with its two gymnasiums, weight room, and several recreation multipurpose spaces.

Shoreline Pool Advisory Committee: Apply now through July 28

Pool Committee Process

The City Manager seeks to appoint 14 to 16 community members that reflect Shoreline’s diversity to serve on the Pool Facility Advisory Committee from September 2025 through February 2026. The Committee’s goal will be to make a recommendation to the City Manager about aspects of a pool facility funding measure that could potentially be on the November 2026 ballot. Committee members will receive a $50 stipend per meeting.

Learn more and apply to be a committee member at shorelinewa.gov/poolfacility.

Project Updates

March-April 2025 Currents

Background Information and Materials

King County built the former Shoreline Pool in 1971. When Shoreline became a City in 1995, the City took control of the pool. The City maintained and ran the pool for more than two decades. However, in the pool’s later years, it became clear that the pool was reaching the end of its useful life. Maintenance costs increased and it became harder to make the repairs on the aging equipment.

In anticipation of eventually needing to close the pool, the City conducted a feasibility study on building a new pool facility in 2017. The City also sought community input and heard from hundreds of community members through development of the 2017-2023 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and other outreach. Most people expressed interest in a new pool facility.

Through a concept design process that involved input from a community advisory committee, the City Council decided to place a Parks and Pool bond measure on the November 2019 ballot. The bond measure asked Shoreline voters if they wanted to fund a new 75,000 square foot pool, recreation, and community center, in addition to funding for redevelopment of four parks. Although the measure received a majority “Yes” vote (54%), it did not receive the required 60% “Yes” vote needed to pass a bond measure.

Following the failed bond measure, the Council made the difficult decision to close the Shoreline Pool in the fall of 2021. However, the Shoreline Pool was Permanently Closed in the fall of 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This left a gap in access to pool activities for Shoreline community members.

Links to additional background documents:

Overview

In March 2024, the City Council directed staff to explore the possibility of a 2026 ballot measure to build, run, and maintain a new public indoor pool facility. The facility would be located a few blocks north of City Hall where there is currently a storage facility. The City’s 2025-2026 Biennial Budget funds the exploration project and staff began the work in early 2025. This project builds on years of public input and previous efforts to build a new pool.

A 2019 Parks and Pool bond measure asked voters if they wanted to fund a new 75,000 square foot pool, recreation, and community center (see details below). The 2019 measure received a majority “Yes” vote (54%) but did not receive the required 60% “Yes” vote needed to pass a bond measure. Residents continue to express interest in a new pool that meets the community’s needs while not overburdening taxpayers.

The City is now exploring the possibility of a new pool-only facility that would be smaller in overall size than the facility proposed in 2019. The facility would include an 8-lane lap pool, a warmer water recreation pool, and additional features and amenities. The new facility would not include sport courts and other gym spaces. Spartan Recreation Center would continue to be the City’s primary recreation center, with its two gymnasiums, weight room, and several recreation multipurpose spaces.

Shoreline Pool Advisory Committee: Apply now through July 28

Pool Committee Process

The City Manager seeks to appoint 14 to 16 community members that reflect Shoreline’s diversity to serve on the Pool Facility Advisory Committee from September 2025 through February 2026. The Committee’s goal will be to make a recommendation to the City Manager about aspects of a pool facility funding measure that could potentially be on the November 2026 ballot. Committee members will receive a $50 stipend per meeting.

Learn more and apply to be a committee member at shorelinewa.gov/poolfacility.

Project Updates

March-April 2025 Currents

Background Information and Materials

King County built the former Shoreline Pool in 1971. When Shoreline became a City in 1995, the City took control of the pool. The City maintained and ran the pool for more than two decades. However, in the pool’s later years, it became clear that the pool was reaching the end of its useful life. Maintenance costs increased and it became harder to make the repairs on the aging equipment.

In anticipation of eventually needing to close the pool, the City conducted a feasibility study on building a new pool facility in 2017. The City also sought community input and heard from hundreds of community members through development of the 2017-2023 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and other outreach. Most people expressed interest in a new pool facility.

Through a concept design process that involved input from a community advisory committee, the City Council decided to place a Parks and Pool bond measure on the November 2019 ballot. The bond measure asked Shoreline voters if they wanted to fund a new 75,000 square foot pool, recreation, and community center, in addition to funding for redevelopment of four parks. Although the measure received a majority “Yes” vote (54%), it did not receive the required 60% “Yes” vote needed to pass a bond measure.

Following the failed bond measure, the Council made the difficult decision to close the Shoreline Pool in the fall of 2021. However, the Shoreline Pool was Permanently Closed in the fall of 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This left a gap in access to pool activities for Shoreline community members.

Links to additional background documents:

Page last updated: 16 Jul 2025, 07:25 PM