Leavenworth pool to open Memorial Day Weekend

LEAVENWORTH — Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool is opening on time this year, with a scheduled May 23 opening day.

According to the city, the community pool will be starting off the season with a few upgrades, including a robot vacuum, lounge chairs and a shade structure. This spring, the pool received a new pump, a variable frequency drive and a chlorine analyzer to help address contamination issues more quickly. The pool parking lot, known as the Freund Lot, was also repaved and restriped in sections.

Starting May 18, Freund Lot is reserved for pool users and permit holders only through the end of the season. A dash pass or validation will be required for pool users parking in the lot. City officials say they plan to release more information soon on a new, digital parking validation program happening this season. As a reminder, the licensed plate-enforced, permit-only stalls are the entire middle row of the lot, which remain reserved 24/7 365 days a year. Parking in the marked ADA stalls is free for vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or plate.

The city has also been working on improvements to the online registration, RecDesk, which launched last year. Officials say the improvements are intended to make registration and check-in easier. Online season pass registration is expected to launch the week of opening weekend. More information can be found at cityofleavenworth.com/pool.

The third annual Splash Bash is also scheduled to return on June 11 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool. The free, family-friendly celebration will have food, games, giveaways and prizes, and information on plans for a community recreation center. The Splash Bash is organized in partnership with the Upper Valley Aquatics Boosters (UVAB), the City of Leavenworth, and the Upper Valley Park and Recreation Service Area (PRSA). UVAB is a local coalition of community members working to build enthusiasm, direction, support, and funds for the Leavenworth pool, with the goal to create a year-round aquatics center for the upper valley.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media