Mercer Island’s more than 50-year-old Mary Wayte Pool is currently closed as construction occurs on a massive progressive design build project.

Brandy Fox of the Mercer Island School District’s capital projects team said work began with the pool closure on July 28 and it will remain shuttered through mid-September. The project will be funded by a $2 million King County Parks grant and $2 million from the school district’s cap/tech levy.

Bellevue’s GLY Construction drained the pool on July 27-28 and began its work, which will include resurfacing and line striping for the pool bowl, ADA improvements to both locker rooms and a family restroom, a complete reconfiguration of the entry lobby, and the addition of a viewing area off the lobby that will increase pool viewing for those with mobility challenges, Fox said.

Seattle’s Miller Hayashi Architects will help handle the project, which is intended to extend the pool’s life by 10 years, according to a previous Reporter story.

On the swimming front, Fox said that teams and students will be set to compete in swim meets starting the last week of September.

“This is Mercer Island School District’s first progressive design build project, and we couldn’t be happier with the GLY/Miller Hayashi partnership, the professionalism and inclusiveness during design, and their planning for construction. So far, so good, and full expectations that we’ll finish well,” said Fox, adding that the district has a great partnership with King County Parks as well.

While Mary Wayte Pool is closed, swimmers do have a place to go off Island for lessons, water aerobics and a technique train camp. Olympic Cascade Aquatics (OCA) owner Alice Godfred — whose business is contracted to manage the pool for the district — said they secured Phantom Lake pool in Bellevue to offer these activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays for four weeks beginning July 31. To sign up for the programs, people can visit www.mercerislandpool.com or call 206-588-1117.

“As an organization, we are very excited for the updates to the pool and think the public will see a big difference when we open back up. The upgrades will modernize a pool that is 50-plus years old,” Godfred said.

The school district noted on a social media post: “This update to Mary Wayte Pool would not be possible without our community’s support of the capital and technology levy. Thank you Mercer Island for your investment in a great community asset.”

During the largest single investment in the pool since 1972, Fox said that GLY’s team will continue its day work into December while most of the pool use will occur in the late afternoons and evenings.

“This work will include new acoustic panels in the natatorium and several value-add items that will be dependent on how the summer phase plays out,” she said.

A host of Mercer Island residents gave shout-outs to the school district and OCA on their social media pages regarding the project. One commenter said the project is great use of levy funds and another thanked Island voters for voting yes to make the project happen.