PORT TOWNSEND — The Mountain View Pool in Port Townsend, which was closed in August because of staffing and equipment problems, is open again.
The pool reopened to the public on Monday after the City of Port Townsend entered into an agreement in August with the Olympic Peninsula YMCA to operate the pool for up to two years.
The public can now use the pool at 1919 Blaine St. for lap swimming and general fitness swimming between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. from Monday to Friday.
The YMCA plans to expend operating hours and bring back aquatic programs such as swimming and exercise lessons it hires more staff to operate the pool and run those programs, said Erin Hawkins, communications manager for the Olympic Peninsula YMCA.
On Tuesday at about 9:30 a.m., about 14 people were using the pool during the lap and general swimming time.
“It feels great,” Hawkins said.“We’re really excited to be here and get the pool back open.
“We know how important it is for the community, and we’re so excited to be able to partner with the city and be able to do this.”
The pool community has suffered major disruptions brought by staffing changes, COVID-19 health restrictions, serious equipment failure and operational issues during the past 18 months, according to a press release from the city of Port Townsend.
“We finally have a go-forward position thanks to huge sacrifices and understanding from the dedicated users of the pool, from endless efforts from our facilities and pool teams, and from the dynamic and collaborative infusion of energy and know-how from the Olympic Peninsula YMCA,” City Manager John Mauro said.
YMCA CEO Wendy Bart said she is glad to be working with the city.
“We are thrilled to work with the city and community to re-open the pool,” Bart said in the release. “Pool users will see some exciting changes and a step up in the pool experience over time.”
In August, the Port Townsend City Council authorized city staff to enter into a services agreement with the Olympic Peninsula YMCA to operate the pool for up to two years, with the intent to stabilize operations, heighten the pool user experience, and drive innovation around greater cost recovery, the release said.
Pool patrons will find a new check-in desk in the main entry, the addition of family changing rooms/all-gender bathrooms, and locker rooms that have been deep cleaned, the release said.
City officials also invested about $40,000 in behind-the-scenes equipment to upgrade critical mechanical and safety components to help the pool be more reliable going forward, the release said.
“I’ve been inspired by the tenacity of both city facilities staff and the YMCA staff as the teams have worked hard this last couple of months to keep the hope alive for swimming at Mountain View,” said Port Townsend Public Works Director Steve King.
“It’s been a tremendously difficult time with a steady stream of unpredictable challenges with the aging facility, but we stuck with it and can’t wait to see people back in the water soon.”
The YMCA is honoring the same pool rates as were in place when the pool temporarily closed in August. Pool patrons will also have the opportunity to sign up for a YMCA membership and have access to all three Olympic Peninsula YMCA facilities in Jefferson County, Sequim and Port Angeles, as well as at participating YMCAs across the country.
When pool patrons return to the pool, YMCA staff ask that they check in at the new front desk and bring photo ID.
Everyone will be required to wear a face mask inside pool facilities, although not in the pool, and staff will follow COVID-19 cleaning and sanitizing procedures to keep everyone safe.
More information on pool hours, rates and checking in at the front desk can be found on the YMCA website, olympicpeninsulaymca.org/locations/branch/mountain-view-pool.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
