McCollum Park pool could be open for July 4

EVERETT — Things are looking dry at McCollum Park’s outdoor pool.

A major construction project to replace the pool’s gutters and liner promises a later-than-normal start for swimming there this year. The seasonal facility typically opens during the first or second week of June and stays open through Labor Day.

“Most likely, we won’t have it open until July 4,” said Russ Bosanko, an operations manager for Snohomish County parks.

If that schedule holds, the south Everett pool would welcome its first swimmers on the Independence Day holiday. Lessons would start July 6, the following Monday.

The construction work will prevent the pool from hosting traditional fifth-grade graduation parties for local elementary schools, said Tony Trofimczuk, recreation supervisor for the parks department. Early-season swim lessons were cancelled as well.

Construction crews started dismantling the 45-year-old pool on May 11 to rebuild the gutters and replace the PVC liner that covers the aluminum shell. They’re also redoing the pavement and plumbing.

The county in March awarded a $295,000 bid for the work to Aquatic Renovation Systems of Indianapolis.

“We’ve looked over the past several years about whether we redevelop the pool or not,” county parks director Tom Teigen said.

The ongoing work “should buy us another 10 to 15 years of operations as it stands. Then, at that point, the county will have to think about whether it really wants an outdoor pool.”

Parks staff discovered last year that the pool was leaking. Tests showed no evidence contamination in nearby North Creek, based on pH balance and dye-testing, Trofimczuk said.

Tests also turned up no trace of substances used in pool water such as chlorine or calcium near the creek.

The outdoor public pools at the county’s McCollum Park and Edmonds’ Yost Park are among the few left in the area.

The McCollum pool, at 600 128th St. SE, first opened in 1970. Until the mid-1960s, the surrounding park was home to a county dump. Construction began in 1968, following the dump’s closure.

Generations have learned to swim at McCollum.

The county allows up to 220 bathers at a time.

About 1,800 people register for swim lessons there every year, Trofimczuk said. This year’s shorter season may lower registrations to about 1,500.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.