Mount Rainier Pool secures $1.438 million grant for critical repairs from King County’s Best Starts for Kids

The Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District was recently awarded a $1.438 million grant from King County’s Best Starts for Kids program to fund critical upgrades to the Mount Rainier Pool.

The grant will cover the replacement of the pool’s Air Handling Unit, a key piece of equipment that maintains air quality, temperature, and humidity in the natatorium.

Replacing the Air Handling Unit, the most expensive component at the pool, is essential for creating a safe and healthy environment. This significant funding allows the district to complete these repairs without increasing taxes, ensuring the community can continue to access affordable water safety programs, fitness opportunities, and recreational activities.

In addition to the primary grant, the district received an additional $213,000 to address other essential upgrades, including boiler water tanks, plumbing, and strainer basket repairs.

The repairs are scheduled to begin in August 2025, and updates will be posted on the district’s project page.

Patrice Thorell, a Des Moines Pool Board Commissioner, praised the grant and King County Parks for their support, emphasizing the importance of swimming as a life skill and the need for modernized facilities. She also highlighted the district’s long-term goal to replace the 49-year-old Mount Rainier Pool, built in 1975 when the city’s population was far smaller, to better meet the needs of the growing community. Planned updates will include increased capacity and ADA upgrades.

The grant reflects King County’s ongoing commitment through its Best Starts for Kids initiative, which supports programs aimed at creating healthier, safer communities for children and families across the region.

About the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District/Mount Rainier Pool

The Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District is a junior taxing district that governs the Mount Rainier Pool and serves the residents of Des Moines (Washington) and surrounding areas. The pool provides fitness, swim lessons, free lifeguard certifications, water safety training and a safe place for individuals and families in the area to recreate. For more information about the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District and its initiatives, visit www.mtrainierpool.com/aquatics-feasibility/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter(X).

About Best Starts for Kids Grant

Best Starts for Kids is a King County voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. Through comprehensive supports from prenatal development to adulthood, Best Starts for Kids catalyzes strong starts in early childhood and sustains those gains as kids progress to adulthood, launching King County’s kids on a path to lifelong health and well-being.

To date, Best Starts for Kids has served more than half of a million King County children, youth, young adults, and families in partnership with more than five hundred community-based organizations.

Updates on Mount Rainier Pool initiatives are available at our Aquatic Feasibility Page.