Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

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Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center
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

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

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[7]
  • 25 x 17 yard, 17 feet deep dive tank equipped for platform and springboard diving[7]
  • 25 x 15 yard recreational pool with pirate cove features and theme[7]
  • Banquet hall seating for 245 people banquet-style and 400 people theater-style[7]

The center has an annual economic impact of $7.5 million USD.[8]

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.[9] In November 2021, non-essential personnel and spectators were officially allowed back in to attend sporting events.[10]

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.[11][12][13]

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.[14]

See also[]

  • Swimming at the Goodwill Games

References[]

  1. ^ "Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center". King County. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b c d "Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center - King County". www.kingcounty.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  8. ^ "Economic impact of U.S. Olympic diving trials, King County Aquatic Center". Federal Way Mirror. August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  9. ^ Race, Retta (July 25, 2020). "Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center Closed Until September 21st". SwimSwam. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "WIAA: Fans will be allowed at State Swim and Dive Championships". Eli Sports Network. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  11. ^ Graham, Jeff (November 9, 2021). "Bainbridge in contention for girls swim/dive state title". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Prep swimming: Selah places in seven events in 2A-1A state finals". Yakima Herald-Republic. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Marsteller, Jason; Kroll, Chuck (December 8, 2015). "11 Reasons Seattle, King County Aquatic Center Are Awesome". Swimming World. Retrieved November 22, 2021.

External links[]

Coordinates: 47°17′43″N 122°20′36″W / 47.295366°N 122.343318°W / 47.295366; -122.343318

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