Pool To Close Labor Day -- Henry Moses Repairs Would Be Too Costly For Renton

RENTON

Amir Fakharzadeh remembers the first day he dipped his 8-year-old toes in cool water at Henry Moses swimming pool.

It was the beginning of summer 1966 - a perfect day for a swim. Fakharzadeh later became a lifeguard and instructor at Henry Moses, which was named after a grandnephew of Suquamish and Duwamish leader Chief Seattle.

After 43 years of providing a place to splash around in the sun - or rain - the Henry Moses pool, one of only three outdoor public pools on the Eastside, will close Labor Day.

The pool at Liberty Park at Bronson Way North and Houser Way North has major leaks and filtration problems, said Glenn Kose, capital-projects manager for the Renton Parks and Recreation Department.

A faucet at one end pumps water into the pool to keep it filled. With 30,000 to 40,000 gallons of water a day seeping out, the pool would drain in eight to 10 days if the spigot were turned off, Kose said.

Annual operating costs, including maintenance and lifeguards, have been about $80,000, while the city has taken in only $30,000 each year from pool fees and lessons, Kose said.

Faced with a potential bill of $1.4 million to fix the leak and other problems, including the decaying filtration system, the City Council decided to shut the pool.

That will leave the Eastside with outdoor public pools in only Kirkland and Woodinville.

For longtime Renton-area swimmers, the news has been hard to swallow.

"It's my favorite park and my favorite swim," said Caytie Nordstrom, 5, as she took a break from wading in the pool.

Boyd McKittrick, who has visited Liberty Park and the pool for 30 years, was saddened to learn it will close.

"Everybody likes a pool dip, and this being outdoors is pretty unique," he said.

Others like the pool's central location - near a basketball court and tennis courts, a children's play area, the library and community center. About 30,000 swimmers use the pool each year.

"The pool-park combination is such a hit," said Patricia Benson, recreation supervisor.

A task force including city officials and swimmers recently formed to look at options for a new pool, estimated to cost up to $5 million. Benson said some people hope a new outdoor pool can be built in the park. One advantage of a new pool would be that it would be accessible to disabled swimmers, she added.

Yesterday, Erin Ybarra, 6, padded around the deck and bantered with the lifeguards.

"I know everybody, and they're nice to me," Erin said.

Fakharzadeh used to swim with his siblings and parents. These days, he brings his wife and four children for weekly family-swim lessons.

"There's a certain memory that kids have when you swim in an outdoor pool," Fakharzadeh said.

A final pool party will be held Aug. 23. The pool closes Sept. 1.