May 1, 2026
Evergreen Pool: Costs, Repairs, and Next Steps
We have heard from community members interested in keeping The Evergreen State College pool open longer to allow time to explore a long-term solution. We appreciate that interest and want to share more context about the financial and facility-related realities that inform our current plans.
Keeping the pool open in the short term would require a sustainable plan to cover approximately $250,000 per year in operating costs. These costs include heating, ventilation, cleaning, and other essential functions required to maintain the facility. They do not include staffing for lifeguards or aquatics programming.
In addition to annual operating costs, the facility requires nearly $1 million in immediate capital repairs to reduce the risk of system failure and maintain safe, compliant operations. These include the following estimates:
- Replacement of pool drains (regulatory requirement): $65,000
(this activity was recently completed) - Replacement of steam heat exchangers: $185,000
- Replacement of failing piping: $95,000
- Replacement of electrical components and control systems: $200,000
- Replacement of pumps: $70,000–$100,000
- Replacement of ceiling system (regulatory requirement): $250,000
(this amount was from 2019 – new estimate is $350,000)
Estimated Total: $955,000–$985,000
Revised estimate minus the pool drains ($900,000 - $975,000)
Even with these repairs, the pool would continue to rely on an aging mechanical system that remains vulnerable to significant failure.
Beyond these immediate repairs, the pool is overdue for a comprehensive refurbishment. A preliminary design completed in 2014 estimated costs of:
- $1.3 million to maintain the existing chlorine system
- $2.7 million to convert to a saline system
These figures would be significantly higher today due to inflation and evolving facility standards.
We’ve shared with community groups who want to keep the pool longer that if a community partner can commit to covering the annual operating costs and has a realistic plan for raising money for repairs and refurbishment, we would be glad to talk about keeping the pool open past June. But currently, given the financial realities, we plan to close the pool when current school district contracts conclude this summer.
No long-term decisions about the facility will be made for at least one year. The possibility of reopening the pool remains under consideration, and Evergreen is committed to participating in regional conversations about the future of public aquatics facilities.
We recognize the important role the pool has played for students, schools, and the broader community. It is our hope that this moment can help catalyze a collaborative, regional approach to aquatics access. If Evergreen can be part of a sustainable, long-term solution, we would welcome that opportunity.
Feb 27, 2026
A Message from John Reed
Evergreen's Interim Chief Financial Officer
At The Evergreen State College, our focus remains on delivering the best possible outcomes for students while safeguarding the long-term strength of the institution. As we navigate real financial challenges, we are committed to being transparent about the Washington state legislative budget process and the initial steps we are taking to ensure our resources remain aligned with student success and our core academic mission.
The operating budget proposals currently under consideration in Olympia include reductions that will significantly affect public higher education. While the final legislative budget is not expected until March 12, as part of our ongoing conversation on this issue, we want our campus community to understand where things stand now and what actions we are taking based on the information available today.
Like many public colleges in Washington and across the country, Evergreen is addressing a projected budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year. Rising operational costs, enrollment pressures across higher education, and limited revenue growth require us to make disciplined decisions about how we allocate our resources.
After careful consideration, we are making two operational changes.
First, the college will close its pool at the end of June. The pool has served our campus and the broader community for decades, and we recognize the important role it has played as a place for wellness and connection. However, it carries significant ongoing operating and infrastructure costs. Recently, the Washington State Department of Health notified the college that the campus pool requires approximately $60,000 in immediate repairs in order to meet current health and safety standards.
Because these required upgrades are mandatory and must be completed in the near term to continue operating the facility, and given the pool’s significant ongoing operating costs alongside the college’s broader budget challenges, this additional $60,000 mandated expense underscores the financial realities behind our decision to close the facility at the end of June, allowing us to reduce expenses and prioritize resources that directly support instruction and student success.
Second, we will restructure our bookstore operations to better serve students and align with evolving course material needs. The bookstore will discontinue on-site sales of physical textbooks, while remaining open to offer Evergreen apparel, gifts, art and supply kits, and other campus merchandise. We will partner with a third-party course materials provider to manage textbook sales and distribution. Students will continue to have access to new, used, rental, and digital formats, with the convenience of home delivery or pickup at the bookstore, and the Copy Center will continue to service faculty, staff, and community needs as usual within the store operations.
Maintaining physical book inventory on-site requires storage, staffing, and supply management costs that are no longer aligned with current demand. Moving these operations to a third-party distributor reduces overhead while maintaining reliable access to required materials in whatever format works best for individual students.
I also want to acknowledge that multiple staff positions will be eliminated as part of this restructuring. These are valued members of our community, and decisions affecting people’s livelihoods are never taken lightly. We are committed to supporting them through this transition with care and respect.
We understand that the pool and bookstore are part of the fabric of campus life. But our foremost responsibility is to protect Evergreen’s core mission: delivering an exceptional academic experience, supporting student success, and ensuring the institution’s long-term sustainability.
Evergreen remains strong. We expect the final legislative budget on March 12 and will update the campus promptly once it is adopted. By making thoughtful adjustments now and communicating clearly about what to expect, we ensure that Evergreen continues to serve students, contribute to our region, and uphold our public mission for years to come.