Last week, Washington State 5th District legislators Sen. Mark Mullet, Rep. Lisa Callan, and Rep. Bill Ramos joined Mayor Ross and City Councilmembers for a tour of the Snoqualmie Community Center to learn more about the City’s planned capital improvement project to expand the facility and add an aquatics center. Following the tour, Reps. Callan and Ramos joined Councilmembers for a Council Roundtable to discuss City and State legislative priorities.
The Community Center/YMCA tour was led by YMCA of Greater Seattle Facilities Director Josh Sutton and Mayor Katherine Ross, who explained the history of the community center; the historic connection and collaboration with nonprofit YMCA of Greater Seattle which operates the facility; and the planned expansion and pool addition that will serve future community health and wellness needs, as well as water safety and swimming education needs.
[Photo L to R: YMCA Facilities Director Josh Sutton, Rep. Callan, Rep. Ramos, Councilmember Johnson, Sen. Mullet, Mayor Ross during communiy center tour.]
During the Council Roundtable, City Councilmembers asked questions about the 2024 state legislative session, available state budget for City of Snoqualmie priorities including the community center expansion, affordable housing, and policing reforms. Reps. Callan and Ramos provided an overview of remaining state biennial budget and an update on state-level legislative priorities for the upcoming year.
“We are very appreciative of our 5th District legislators taking time from their busy schedules to tour the community center and learn about our plans to expand the facility and bring much-needed aquatics and community programming space to our City,” said Mayor Ross. “The opportunity to connect during the Council Roundtable also offered a deeper understanding for both our Council and State Representatives of city and state priorities.”
In August, the City Council approved a design contract for the Community Center Expansion project with Absher Construction, and work on design options for the expansion is currently underway. Various design options are expected to be presented to the City Council this Fall. See initial design conceptual images below. **Please note: These are NOT final designs, but rather conceptual images for an initial facility expansion design option. **
Snoqualmie Community Center Expansion Project
The Community Center Expansion Project is part of the City’s approved Capital Improvement Plan, with $15 million in project funding appropriated in the current biennial budget. The project will add 24,000 sq. ft, including an aquatics facility and more non-aquatics health and wellness space, to the existing facility. The City was recently awarded a $1 million grant from King County for the project. Additionally, the City continues to pursue partnerships with local organizations and state grant funding for the expansion.
The community center is owned by the City of Snoqualmie and is operated on behalf of the City by non-profit YMCA of Greater Seattle through a long-term agreement. The facility is open to all and will continue to be when expanded. The City’s operational agreement with the YMCA, as well as the non-profit’s inclusive mission, ensures everyone access through free teen drop-in hours, daily passes, monthly memberships, and scholarship programs for those with demonstrated financial needs.
The existing undersized facility - also a designated City emergency shelter - is too small to support the current population which has grown approximately 30% since it opened in 2012. The Snoqualmie Valley is also severely deficient in aquatics space to meet the demand for vital swimming and water safety education, with only one 85-year-old small pool to serve the community.
For more information about the Community Center Expansion project, including a FAQ, visit www.snoqualmiewa.gov/639/Community-Center-Expansion.
Conceptual Snoqualmie Community Center Design Option Renderings – NOT final designs:
