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MLK Park aquatic center on schedule for early June opening; donor wall planned
Summary
City staff said the new Martin Luther King Jr. Park aquatic center remains on track for an early June ribbon-cutting. Staff described donor recognition plans (a multi-size plexiglass “wave” wall), confirmed major gifts to the project and outlined summertime staffing needs including hiring about 20 lifeguards and 10 cashiers.
City Parks and Recreation staff told the commission Wednesday that construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Park aquatic center (the new aquatic facility at MLK Park) is on schedule for an early June ribbon-cutting.
“We are planning to hit our deadline,” Ken said, adding that he had asked the project manager and superintendent whether the schedule was realistic and that both affirmed the early-June target. Staff said the city has not missed a deadline so far on the project and expects a celebratory event with remarks from city and external partners.
Staff described a donor recognition installation — a plexiglass “donor wall” the department is calling the “wave” — that will be mounted near the facility entrance. Cascade Sign is producing the donor elements, which will come in five sizes and shades of blue. Staff said about 40 donor signs will be installed and noted different donors used single gifts, multi-year pledges and monthly contributions.
Ken thanked the Yakima Valley Community Foundation and said the foundation is contributing $150,000 to the project. He also said one donor family has pledged $750,000. Staff said they have collected wording preferences from many donors and will begin finalizing sign production; Cascade Sign will meet on-site with staff next week.
Staff plans to invite elected officials and agency partners to the ribbon-cutting, including Senator King, Commissioner Kyle Curtis, and representatives from the state Department of Commerce and the office of the governor where state funding is involved. Ken indicated donors will be recognized and that the donor wall will be located on the right side of the entry lobby near the ticket window.
On operations and staffing, Ken said the department is planning for summertime hires to run the pool: about 20 lifeguards and 10 cashiers. He said hiring will be a major seasonal recruitment task and that human resources is working with staff on outreach. The commission also discussed the facility’s maximum safe-entry capacity; staff said capacity limits could force the facility to turn away some users on very busy days.
Ken encouraged donors and community members to use the Yakima Valley Community Foundation donation portal to contribute and said the foundation’s staff have been “fantastic to work with,” naming Sharon Miracle by reference for her assistance. Staff described ongoing outreach to donors and confirmation of inscription wording for donor panels.
No formal action was taken on the pool project at the Feb. 12 meeting; staff said construction progress and donor recognition would continue to be reported to the commission.
