10-13-2026 6:37pm

Lake Forest Park Considers Contributing to Regional Aquatic Center Study

Chris Clasen Editor

Lake Forest Park Mayor Tom French supports a proposed $10,000 city contribution toward a regional aquatic study, citing the need for affordable swimming lessons and a centrally located pool serving the north end.

The retirement of the Shoreline High School pool several years ago and the aging Mountlake Terrace Pavilion Pool have left the area with limited options, French said in an email responding to questions about the proposed expenditure.

“The north end is in dire need of an aquatic center,” French wrote.

Access and affordability

French described the issue as one of equity, noting that families with financial resources can access private pools and swimming lessons, while lower-cost programs are limited and often oversubscribed.

A regional facility could expand access to swimming and lessons for families who currently face few affordable options.

Disagreement over location

Disagreements over location have complicated efforts to develop a collaborative aquatic center, according to French. Shoreline has twice pursued moving forward independently, largely because it wants a pool near its civic campus.

French said Lake Forest Park and several other cities found their proposed location unacceptable, arguing that a more central site would provide better access throughout the region.

“A central location is imperative for economies of scale,” French wrote. “Pools are massively expensive, and we and our neighboring cities cannot afford one alone.”

Council to decide on funding

The proposed $10,000 city expenditure would contribute to the $150,000 aquatic study, not the construction of a swimming pool. The City Council will decide whether to retain the funding in the proposed budget before voting on the budget as a whole in the coming weeks.

French supports the expenditure, calling it “an important investment in the future” and arguing that everyone should have access to an aquatic center and pool.

French emphasized that the proposed study funding is separate from Shoreline’s aquatic center ballot measure.