Pool won’t be ready for Kent YMCA’s grand opening Sept. 14 | Update

Kent’s new YMCA will throw a grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 14, there just won’t be a pool party.

The pool didn’t pass initial inspection by Public Health – Seattle and King County on Monday, said Sarah Sanborn, director of communications for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, in an email. A few small construction pieces, including moving a temperature dial, tightening screws, did not meet requirements when an inspector visited. There were no mechanical or chemical related issues.

An inspector returned on Thursday and the YMCA received authorization to open the pool, said Josh Sutton, YMCA capital projects manager, in a phone interview Thursday.

Sutton said the pool will open on Monday, Sept. 16 or Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Staff does not have enough time to prepare for the pool to be ready for the public grand opening on Saturday. But once staff receives their in-pool training over the next few days, the pool will open.

Despite the closed pool, the grand opening will go on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the new $36.6 million facility, 10828 SE 248th St., on the East Hill at Morrill Meadows Park.

“We are so excited to offer a new space where women, men, children, families and other folks can reach their full potential in mind, body and spirit,” said Loria Yeadon, CEO and president of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, in a press release. “We never turn away someone due to their background, culture or financial situation. The Kent YMCA will be our 14th branch – and our third facility in South King County.”

Yeadon will commemorate the celebration with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. The rest of the day will be filled with free activities, such as:

• A tour of the new facility

• Free food tasting in the community kitchen with cuisines from around the world

• Dancing and singing in the gymnasium

• Sampling group fitness classes (wear appropriate shoes and clothing)

• Walking on the suspended walking and running track

The grand opening will also be the last chance to join the Y as a charter member.

Open seven days a week, the 50,000 square-foot facility will offer community gathering spaces, an aquatic center, gym, three group fitness rooms and a premium cardio and free-weight fitness floor. It will also bring a significant expansion of school-aged child care and enrichment programs for children and teens hosted by the Y.

Hours at the YMCA will be 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The city of Kent is paying about $11 million toward the project in partnership with the YMCA after years of planning for a new aquatic center.