Community Center Expansion

The current community center is one-third of the size of what was originally planned nearly 20 years ago. Due to funding, the City was unable to build the full-size facility at that time. Since the Snoqualmie Community Center/YMCA opened in 2012, Snoqualmie’s population has grown by approximately 30%, with more than 40% of residents using the facility. There is often more demand than the existing facility can accommodate. The Snoqualmie Valley is also severely deficient in aquatics space, with only one 85-year-old small pool to serve the area.

The Community Center Expansion project is part of the City's 2023-28 Capital Improvement Plan, with just over $15 million of project funding included in the City's 2023-24 Biennial Budget.

Expansion Features

Addition of approximately 24,000 square feet
Increased multi-purpose spaces for programming
Increased cardio and fitness center space
Aquatic center with 6-lane lap pool and activity pool
Increased locker room space
Common use space and additional community meeting and office space
Possible additional parking along Ridge Street

Funding

The City is pursuing a funding option whereby Snoqualmie residents would not incur additional property taxes for the expansion. The current cost estimate for the project (Oct. 2023) is approximately $21.8 to $26.9 million - depending on design options.

Identified Funding Sources:

Sales Tax: $7.7 million (available)
Real Estate Excise Tax: $7.5 million (available)
King County Parks Levy Grants: $1.0 million (awarded 2023)
YMCA: $2.2 mill (maxiumum fundraising amount)
Snoqualmie Parkway savings: $0.4 million (available)
Grants, Partnerships, Other Sources: $2.8 - $7.9 million

Project Update - October 2023

At the Oct. 23 City Council meeting, Councilmembers were proivded a Community Center Expansion Project Update, including design options for the building expansion and pool addition. The detailed presentation included potential building and pool layouts created by Absher Construction - the company awarded the project's design-build contract - along with ALSC Architects, selected for the project's design work. The potential project layouts included associated pricing costs ranging from $21.8 million to $26.9 million.

See Community Center Expansion Update Presentation HERE.
Watch Oct. 23 City Council Meeting presentation and Council discussion HERE.
See Community Center Expansion Schematic Design Video HERE.

A final design has not been selected yet. City Councilmembers will continue discussing the project and identifing community programming needs this fall to determine a potential design direction for architects. Additionally, City Councilmembers will be engaging in City efforts to secure additional external project funding through State legislature appropriations, additional King County grants, Snoqualmie Valley School District partnership, Snoqualmie Tribe partnership, and other potential local partnerships.

Project Update - August 2023

During the Aug. 14 City Council meeting, Councilmembers unanimously approved Resolution 1662 for the Phase 1 design services contract for the Community Center Expansion Project. The $1.89 million design-build contract was awarded to Absher Construction, Inc. and includes pre-construction and design services for the project. The design contract will be partially funded by a $1 million King County Parks Levy grant the City was recently awarded for the Community Center Expansion Project.

Work to be completed by Absher Construction includes planning, programming, and predesign activities based on community input, staff recommendations and coordination with stakeholders and project partners. The work will create a conceptual development plan with enough detail to evaluate optimal building configurations, operational factors, revenue generation, and construction costs. The work scope also includes a guaranteed maximum project price for Council consideration and approval before moving forward with final design and project construction.

Design work will be completed over the next three months, with regular updates provided to the Council throughout the process. A near-final design and the guaranteed maximum price is anticipated to be presented to Council for consideration in late fall.

Project Update - December 2022

The Community Center Expansion project is part of Snoqualmie’s 2023-28 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that was adopted by the City Council in August 2022. Additionally, approximately $15 million in project funding was included in the adopted 2023-24 Biennial Budget.

The City is engaged in planning and design work for the community center building expansion and pool addition. We will be launching a stakeholder Advisory Committee in 2023 to help the City and YMCA determine future programming needs and building components.

The City is actively exploring and seeking grants and partnerships to help fund the project. We will apply for King County Park Levy and Puget Sound Regional Council grants. We have relayed to our 5^th District Legislators that the community center expansion is one of our top priorities in 2023, and as such have requested state funding for the project during the 2023 legislative session.

We also approached the Snoqualmie Valley School District to consider funding options for the project’s 6-lane pool that could facilitate aquatic safety education and swim lessons for elementary school students, as well as offer space for swim competitions.

Community Center Expansion Tennis Court Relocation Concept

To facilitate the community center expansion project, the City has been exploring tennis court relocation options within the Snoqualmie Community Park site. In Feb. 2022, the Parks and Events Commission evaluated relocation options, including a preferred option that would utilize available space on the eastern side of the park near the lower soccer field. The concept includes replacing the three existing multi-use courts - lined for both pickleball and tennis - with two tennis-only courts and three pickleball-only courts.

To facilitate a separate project that would add a splash pad to Snoqualmie Community Park, the current basketball court would be relocated to the west side of the Community Center. The current basketball court would then be utilized as splash pad space given it's close proximity to existing restroom and service area facilities.

Community Center Expansion Community Engagement

On June 9. 2019, the City held a Town Hall to gather community input about a Community Center expansion, including features community members would like to see. Over 70 people attended the Town Hall that was facilitated by Una McAlinden Consulting & Facilitation. Attendees were broken into small groups, categorized by age.

Resident Survey

A randomized telephone survey of Snoqualmie residents was conducted in July 2019 by professional research firm EMC Research about a potential expansion of the Snoqualmie Community Center. The survey results show 72% of those interviewed felt an expansion was a good idea and supported the proposal.

Survey Results Report

School District Aquatics Survey

In 2019, the Snoqualmie Valley School District conducted a survey to gauge community support for investments in aquatics programming and facilities, including local partnerships. The survey showed strong community support for the district's potential capital investments in aquatics.

SVSD Aquatics Survey Results

Legislative Actions

Resolution 1508: In August 2019, the City Council passed Resolution 1508, authorizing refinement of the community center expansion project scope, funding, partners, delivery methodology and schedule. In 2019, Si View Metropolitan Parks District was exploring construction of a large aquatics facility. The Snoqualmie Valley School District, as well as the City, were being asked to partner and contribute funding for the proposed $43 million, 46,000 sq. ft. aquatics facility with recreational and competition pool features. Resolution 1508, in part, provided authorization for the Mayor and City Administrator to research aquatics facility partnerships and associated costs.

Resolution 1520: In October 2019, the City Council passed Resolution 1520, which declined Si View Parks District Aquatics Facility Proposal, and requested further refinement of options for a Snoqualmie Community Center Expansion and addition of a 6-lane competition pool. After meetings with Si View Parks District and researching the project's Feasibility Study, it was determined the amount of funding needed from the City significantly exceeded planned or budgeted available funds; required new, voter approved property taxes for construction; a location site was not made available; and the expansion being explored by the City on the current Community Center site would utilize available City resources; YMCA contributions; and if available, a school district capital contribution.