Special to the Reporter

Mary Wayte Pool is a symbol of community, pride and partnership on Mercer Island. It represents King County, city of Mercer Island and Mercer Island School District’s shared commitment to the Island since 1972.

Backed by a $2 million investment by Mercer Island School District through the community approved 2021 Capital and Technology Levy and a $2 million King County grant, Mary Wayte Pool reopened on Sept. 16 after a temporary summer closure to complete phase one of a two-phase capital renovation project.

Phase one renovations include: Completely resurfaced pool liner; new lobby configuration with ADA viewing area looking out onto the pool that will also serve as a small space for birthday parties and group events; updated ADA lobby bathroom with a new shower, toilet and fixtures; and a new check-in desk to the left of entry, which includes a new pool office.

Renovated men’s and women’s locker rooms that include: New lockers; new changing benches; new ADA shower and sink fixtures; new toilets and toilet partitions; and new lobby check in area that includes new pool office and refurbished bathroom.

Other renovations include: Partial installation of non-slip epoxy flooring; a new large LED scoreboard on west side of building (funded by a Mercer Island School’s Foundation Grant and Olympic Cascade Aquatics fundraising); interior and exterior painting; new water fountains and bottle fillers on the pool deck; and removal of acoustical panels over the pool.

As a result of exceptional stewardship and management of the project, the teams from GLY Construction, Miller Hayashi Architects, Olympic Cascade Aquatics and the Mercer Island School District will complete additional projects in phase two by the end of 2025.

Phase two of the renovations will include: New acoustical wall panels; complete installation of new non-slip epoxy flooring at the pool deck, locker rooms and lobby area; replacement of the diving board; exterior siding repairs and painting; and a view of the pool and the new ADA viewing area.

This $4 million capital renovation is the largest single investment project in the pool since it opened 53 years ago, ensuring Mary Wayte Pool can serve the community for another decade.

Superintendent Fred Rundle captured phase one by stating, “In a time when community pools are closing and finding space for our high school teams to train and compete becoming increasingly more difficult, I am grateful for the collaboration between our county, city, and school district to preserve this community asset. However, none of this is possible without the support of the voter-approved levy from our Island residents. I think our community swimmers and visiting high school teams alike will be blown away by the transformation and more is yet to come in Phase 2!”