LYNNWOOD—Since the city of Lynnwood’s bold decision to invest $25 million to restore its 33-year-old, 28,568 square foot, Recreation Center back in 2011, the expanded and renovated Rec Center has become a popular central hub for residents seeking to build community relationships.
Now, with summer months ahead, it’s all hands-on deck to prepare for its busiest season yet.
The Lynnwood Recreation Center, located at 18900 44th Avenue West in Lynnwood, has two multi-purpose classrooms, one of which is able to be divided in half, 1,600-foot weight room, land fitness courts, racquetball courts, locker rooms, changing rooms, competition lap pool, recreation pool, and playground.
The facility offers a surplus of activities for anyone and everyone; from multipurpose classrooms (teaching fitness classes, dance classes, coding classes, martial arts classes, chess club, arts classes, language classes, music classes, and more), swimming lessons, CPR certification, senior activities, a small water park complete with water slides and a lazy river, saunas, hot tubs, warm water therapy pool, and so much more.
Rooms are also available to rent out for private events.
Amenities are not restricted to Lynnwood residents nor does the facility require any membership or joining fees. Prices for amenities and services vary from $5 to play cards in the Senior Center, for example, to $300 for overnight excursions. Classes average about $60 to $80 and access to the pool is a $7 drop-in charge with approximately $80 for quarterly swim lessons. Lynnwood residents receive an additional 25% off of all amenities, classes, and rentals.
Additionally, month-to-month or annual memberships are available upon request but not needed to access the facility.
The goal is to be able to provide some sort of service to everyone regardless of income.
The city is in constant communication with residents to determine which services to provide, monitoring participation and taking to heart the requests made by visitors. The goal is to be a sort of entry point where people can explore a variety of interests. If a child is interested in Tae Kwan Do, for example, Rec Center staff will do their best to contract out an instructor who could offer introductory classes but if that child begins to get really serious about the martial art, then staff might refer them to a specific dojo in town.
The same can be said about the weight room where it offers guests the opportunity to work out but might not be the best fit for those wanting to take their fitness to the next level.
What you can expect from the Rec Center, Joel Faber, Parks and Rec Interim Director, told the Lynnwood Times, is to be “comfortable,” to “feel welcome,” to “meet people of all shapes and sizes and nationalities and backgrounds.”
“That’s our unique thing. If you’re new and you might have questions that you may feel uncomfortable asking at, say 24-hour fitness or LA Fitness scenario, you’ll be comfortable at the Rec Center,” said Faber. “We’re just every day people and we do truly want you to be more healthy and live a more full life.”
The city took a chance to decide to update its Recreation Center thirteen years ago, which had been built in 1976 and was experiencing outdated and dwindling infrastructure at the time. Now the Rec Center receives so many pool reservations, particularly during summer months, its staff can hardly accommodate all of them.
“It’s truly one of those assets that the city needs to be truly proud of,” Faber told the Lynnwood Times. “We took a risk, and it paid off.”
Faber noted that the city’s decision to add a pool, and by extension swim lessons, specifically was a wise decision given that drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children and “there is a lot of water in Washington.”
Witnessing the success of adding an aquatics center to the Rec Center in Lynnwood, and the subsequent demand for swim lessons, the city of Lynnwood was also quick to assist the cities of Shoreline and Snohomish, respectively, with their own aquatics center through staff training and even drafting business plans.
“We needed relief. We needed other organizations to open public pools so that we weren’t the only game in town,” said Faber. “We truly welcome any new pools in the area and try and help them be successful right off the get-go, because there is such an incredible demand for these services. We’re fortunate in Lynnwood to have the quality of pool that we have.”
Having an aquatics center also offers guests the unique experience to either participate in fitness classes on land or in water.
Faber was appointed to Interim Parks and Rec Director back in March by Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, filling the vacancy left by former Director Lynn Sordel’s retirement.
Having worked for the city of Lynnwood for the last 25 years Faber shared with the Lynnwood Times that he “knew what was going on but didn’t really know what’s going on” with his department as far as the level of detail and the extent of the hard work each of its workers contribute goes.
“I think that’s been the most exciting thing; getting to know the people who have been my co-workers for the last 12 years in a different way and getting to understand what they do on a day-in and day-out basis in a different way,” said Faber. “I’ve just been so impressed with the work that they do. I’ve had a narrow view for years, and that’s been my area of responsibility – the rec side of things, so I know everything that’s going on there – but learning about golf, healthy communities, all of those things that have just broadened my perspective just makes me that much more proud to work in Parks and Recreation.”
Being that it is budget season, Faber’s focus in the next coming weeks will be working on setting the Department up for success as far as financial resources go.
For a complete list, and calendar, of services the Lynnwood Rec Center offers visit: www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Community/Play-Lynnwood. This website is also where you make a reservation for a course, pool admission, or to rent out a space for a private event.
Those interested can also subscribe to the Rec Center’s monthly newsletter for updates on upcoming classes, events, and more.
The Lynnwood Rec Center is also currently hiring, specifically for lifeguards, rec attendants, and summer camp instructors. To apply visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lynnwood.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
