Covington council agrees to pursue King County grant to fund pool repairs and family changing rooms

Covington City Council on March 25 directed staff to pursue a King County grant covering up to 50% of proposed improvements at the city aquatic center, after staff said the project package would make the application more competitive.

The grant application would seek funding for two principal components: a full replaster and retiling of the pool (estimated $736,500) and conversion of two lobby restrooms into family changing rooms with showers, ADA upgrades and HVAC improvements (estimated $710,500). City staff said the total estimated cost is roughly $1.5 million and that the city would need to match grant funds using the Aquatics Reserve, which staff estimated at about $1.4 million.

The pool liner work addresses what staff called a time-sensitive maintenance need: “The pool liner was last completely replastered and retiled in 02/2007,” staff member Ethan said, adding that liners typically last 10–12 years and the city has exceeded that timeline. That estimate and the scope were presented so council could confirm the package before the grant application window closes on April 3.

Why it matters: staff said the liner replacement is likely unavoidable within a few years even without grant support, and converting the restrooms to family changing rooms would strengthen the grant application by addressing access and equity criteria listed by King County.

Council members discussed priorities and timing. Councilmember Christine (full name not specified) described the restroom conversion in personal terms: “It's brought to our attention that…children up to 6 years of age can enter into any given locker room with their parents. And then beyond that, you can't. So if I brought a 7 year old, I couldn't take them with me into the locker room… As a mother, I not having a different option…doesn't sit well with me,” she said, urging that both projects be pursued if possible.

Council members asked about budgeting and contingencies. Ethan said the cost estimates are recent and include contingencies; staff noted a contingency line and that line items include architectural and construction management fees. When asked whether the city could apply for only one of the two projects, staff said the city could prioritize (and recommended the pool liner if only one could be funded) but that including the family-change conversion would increase competitiveness for the King County grant.

Decision and next steps: Council signaled consensus to submit an application for the full package (both the pool liner and family changing-room conversion) and to use the Aquatics Reserve as the likely match if the grant were awarded. Staff will file the application before the April 3 deadline and, if awarded, will return to council during the regular budget process to allocate the matching funds formally. Ethan cautioned that accepting a grant after application would still require council action on the match: if the council later chose not to provide matching funds, the city could refuse the award.

The staff presentation noted an expected construction timeline in 2026 if the grant is awarded; staff also said the liner work is the more urgent of the two items and is likely to be necessary even if the city does not receive grant funding.

Council members who spoke on the item: Councilmember Beth (last name not specified), Councilmember Debbie (last name not specified), Councilmember Jennifer (last name not specified), Councilmember Christine (last name not specified), and Councilmember Joe (last name not specified).