Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center is an aquatic facility in Federal Way, Washington constructed for the 1990 Goodwill Games.

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center
Competition natatorium in November 2022
Building information
CityFederal Way, Washington, United States
Capacity2,500[1]
Built1990
OpenedApril 18, 1990[2]
Construction cost$18.8 million USD[3]
Pool
Length50 meters
Width25 yards
Lanes8

It has hosted US Olympic Diving Team Trials in 2000 and 2012,[2] NCAA championships, PAC-12 conference championships, USA Swimming Winter National championships and Speedo Junior National championships.[2] Over 200 world records have been set at the center.[4]

The center is open to the public for open swim, pool exercise, family swim, lessons and lap swim.[4]

History

On April 18, 1990 the facility opened for general use.[5] It was constructed to host the 1990 Goodwill Games, which were held in Seattle.

Land for the center's development was donated by the Weyerhauser corporation[5] and the facility was named after the company and its Chairman, George Weyerhaeuser.[6] The Seattle Goodwill Games Committee provided $5 million and King County issued an $8.8 million bond to fund the facility.[5]

Operations

Facilities

Swimming, synchronized swimming, diving and water polo are accommodated by the technical features of the center. It is one of only a few of its kind in the United States.[5]

Center facilities include:

  • 9–10.5 feet deep Olympic-sized competition and training pool (competition natatorium)[7]
  • 25 x 17 yard, 17 feet deep diving well equipped for platform and springboard diving (competition natatorium)[7]
  • 25 x 15 yard recreational pool with pirate cove features and theme (recreation pool)[7]
  • Banquet hall seating for 245 people banquet-style and 400 people theater-style (banquet hall)[7]

For the COVID-19 pandemic, the center started serving as a COVID-19 testing site open to the public in October 2020.[8]

The center has an annual economic impact of $7.5 million USD.[9]

Closures

During the COVID-19 pandemic the center temporarily closed for several months, from March to September 2020, to accommodate best practices and prevent the spread of COVID-19.[10] In November 2021, non-essential personnel and spectators were officially allowed back in to attend sporting events.[11]

From August 1 to mid-September 2022 and for the summer of 2023, the center is temporarily closed to use by the public for facility upgrades following its turning 30 years of age.[12]

Events held at the center

As well as the Goodwill Games for which the center was constructed, each year the facility hosts high profile events. These have included Olympic Team Trials in diving, NCAA championships, PAC-12 conference championships, USA Swimming senior events and Speedo Junior Nationals.[4] One way the center serves the community that funded its construction, the residents of King County, as well as Washington state residents at large, is through hosting events such as high school state swimming and diving championships.[13][14][15]

Recognition

In December 2015 Swimming World published a feature on King County Aquatic Center, highlighting eleven reasons it found the center to be "awesome" including playing a pivotal role in the swimming careers of notable Olympians Nathan Adrian (the only swimmer to make the list from Washington State), Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Cullen Jones, Simone Manuel, and Haley Anderson.[16]

Some of the venue facilities include the following.

  • Main entrance and COVID-19 test site signage
    Main entrance and COVID-19 test site signage
  • Bleacher seating in the competition natatorium
    Bleacher seating in the competition natatorium
  • Competition pool with timing system
    Competition pool with timing system
  • Diving well and tower
    Diving well and tower
  • Media booth
    Media booth

See also

References
  1. "Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center". King County. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  2. Jacinda Howards (April 30, 2010). "King County Aquatic Center strengthens Federal Way's economy and profile". Federal Way Mirror. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  3. US Olympic Trials, June 20-25 2000
  4. "King County Aquatic Center strengthens Federal Way's economy and profile | Federal Way Mirror". Federal Way Mirror. April 30, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  5. "King County Aquatic Center strengthens Federal Way's economy and profile | Federal Way Mirror". Federal Way Mirror. April 30, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  6. "Von Reichbauer commemorates Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center". Auburn Reporter. August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  7. "Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center - King County". www.kingcounty.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  8. "Two more new COVID-19 testing sites in south King County". kingcounty.gov. October 5, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  9. "Economic impact of U.S. Olympic diving trials, King County Aquatic Center". Federal Way Mirror. August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  10. Race, Retta (July 25, 2020). "Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center Closed Until September 21st". SwimSwam. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  11. "WIAA: Fans will be allowed at State Swim and Dive Championships". Eli Sports Network. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  12. "Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center closes for upgrades". Federal Way Mirror. August 3, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  13. Graham, Jeff (November 9, 2021). "Bainbridge in contention for girls swim/dive state title". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  14. Drowley, Doug (November 13, 2021). "Tahoma uses its depth to exceed expectations and win 4A state swimming and diving championship". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  15. "Prep swimming: Selah places in seven events in 2A-1A state finals". Yakima Herald-Republic. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  16. Marsteller, Jason; Kroll, Chuck (December 8, 2015). "11 Reasons Seattle, King County Aquatic Center Are Awesome". Swimming World. Retrieved November 22, 2021.

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