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Saturday, June 20, 2026

Metropolitan Park District and the Shoreline Pool

Concept design for new Shoreline Pool

The City of Shoreline is putting a proposition on the November ballot to create a Metropolitan Park District to build, maintain, and operate a pool facility.

What is a metropolitan park district?

A metropolitan park district (MPD) is a junior property taxing district with special taxing authority for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, pathways, boulevards, recreational facilities, programs, and services.

What would the Shoreline MPD cover?

The Shoreline MPD would be created for the purpose of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed recreational pool facility and for potential future recreational facilities.

How big would the pool facility be and where would it be located?

Based on the current preliminary design, the facility would be approximately 48,000 square feet and include the following: 
  • 8-lane, 25-yard, lap pool with starting platforms, two 1m diving boards, stepped entry, ramp and lift access
  • recreation pool with stepped entry, ramp, lift access, and a lazy river/current channel for water walking and floating 
  • hydrotherapy pool with stepped entry and lift access 
  • sauna
  • universal change rooms with individual rooms, stalls, and private and deck showers
  • pool spectator area with flexible seating options
  • lobby with seating, pool viewing area, and snack bar
  • classroom and party room 
  • staff area and service spaces 
  • green spaces between the building and street with connection to the Interurban Trail
More detail on the concept designs of the pool facility is available in the Shoreline Pool Facility Concept Design Report: Select Highlights.

Where would the pool facility be built?

The pool would be built north of City Hall on City-owned property at 17828 Midvale Ave N.

How much would this pool facility cost to build?

The total cost to build the pool facility is estimated to be about $100 million. This total includes design, permitting, construction, paying off the property purchase, and related fees and contingencies. The proposed MPD revenue would be used to finance $95 million of one-time project costs, with the balance funded with a grant from King County.

The $100 million estimated capital construction cost includes $16.6 million to pay off the remaining property purchase.

How much would it cost to operate and maintain the pool?

Current cost estimates show operations and maintenance costs for the first five years averaging about $4.4 million with anticipated revenue from user and rental fees bringing in about $2.9 million. This means that the anticipated revenue generated from user and rental fees would cover 66% of the costs to operate and maintain the pool facility. The remaining 34%, approximately $1.5 million, would be provided from the ongoing MPD property tax. By subsidizing some of the operations and maintenance costs with MPD revenue, we can keep the costs lower for users, making the pool more accessible and affordable.

Does the current proposal to construct a pool facility include constructing a recreation facility

No. The current proposal is just to build a pool facility. However, creation of the Shoreline MPD would allow for the construction of recreation facilities in the future should additional funding be available.

Who pays the property tax for the MPD?

Property owners within the boundaries of the Shoreline MPD, which are the same as the boundaries of the City of Shoreline, would pay the property tax.

How much would the property tax cost property owners?

Preliminary cost estimates for property owners are in the table below.


Why did the former Shoreline Pool close?

King County built the former Shoreline Pool, a 6-lane lap pool, in 1971. By 2020, the pool had reached the end of its useful life and needed significant repairs, maintenance, and upgrades to keep it operational. After years of providing emergency repairs to keep the aging facility open, the City decided to close that facility. The City initially scheduled the closure for September 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City permanently closed the pool in June 2020.

Additional information here


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