Last Wednesday’s community meeting on the redesign of the Rumsey Center drew 150 community members to weigh in on the revised design which was first presented in March of 2025.
CM Charles Allen told the attendees: “When I walked through the plan, what I saw was a marked improvement over last spring … I think you have to have to acknowledge a significant improvement.” Allen added he doesn’t think it meets every community need and “tonight what we want to hear is constructive feedback and what else do you think we could change.”
Rumsey Closing Date Uncertain & Recap of Last Week’s Community Meeting
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 19, 2026
Last Wednesday night, some 150 community members showed up to a meeting at which DGS and DPR shared the latest concept design proposals for the new Rumsey Aquatic Center. In response to one of the last questions in the Q&A about when Rumsey would close for the reconstruction, Chris Dyer, DPR External Affairs Specialist, said, “We don’t know yet. A final design will be presented to the community at the next community meeting at a date to be determined. We anticipate construction will take 18 months to two years.”
The agencies and designers reviewed the layout of the existing structure and then presented the latest designs which incorporated community feedback from the previous community meeting on March 12, 2025. In addition to new and upgraded aquatic features, the project has been redesigned to provide a second floor with community-based program spaces.
The agencies had received considerable pushback on the March 2025 design which did not include a second floor for community spaces and not enough water for the vocal local swimming community – the project was sent back to the designers to address those issues.
It seemed that the consensus of the community was that the new designed was better, but still needed tweaking. Attendees lined up at the microphone to ask questions or raise concerns or make suggestions.
Here’s a list of comments and questions raised by community members: (Most of the responses were assurances that “we’ll take a look at it,” but when there was a more expansive reply the gist of it follows in parentheses.)
- More funding to insure maintenance of the facility and to keep the equipment running.
- More windows on the right hand front façade,
- Include a sauna – supported by a 173 signature petition.
- Increase the size of the fitness center on the second floor.
- Concern about the exception from requirement for net zero energy design. (Impossible because of the energy requirements for heating the pools.)
- Increase depth of aerobic pool and the size of the locker room.
- Why is there a 15 foot set back on south side? (Zoning regs).
- Amenities of the tech lounge? (489 s.f.– at least 2 fixed computers – free wifi).
- Installing more solar panels on roof? (Amount of energy we get in this area with solar panels does not meet net zero standard currently.)
- Assure consideration is given to requirements for hydro pole class.
- Assure adequate ventilation because of the chlorine.
- For eye level windows overlooking the pool on the outside, consider one way or transition glass instead of planned translucent glass.
- Pushback on architect’s minimalist design intended to keep building from competing with iconic Eastern Market. Facility is inward facing – people want the façade to be activated.
- This is an aquatic facility first. More water. A once in a life time opportunity.
- Concern that community rooms are likely to be unused. An expanded fitness center would be a magnet from 6am until closing. (Demand for event space in other community centers is strong.)
- Concern about programming adjustments between 5pm and 7pm that address needs of after work lap swimmers. More water.
- Assure that for majority of time swimmers have true 8 lap lanes. Taking over lap lanes for programming creates back logs. Aerobics during the day and learn-to-swim in the evenings put pressure on the large pool. More water.
- Explain difference between collaborative rooms vs. community rooms vs. incubator space. Suggest outward facing incubator spaces with entrances facing exterior. (Can’t do the latter because it’s a recreation facility with staff so those rooms can only be accessed during staff hours. Need to have flexibility re use of upstairs space to accommodate alternate purposes such as the community looking for more work space or having a large or medium community room. The difference between a collaborative room and a community room is about furnishings.)
- Encourage coordination with DC DOT to expand use of North Plaza as Bike Share location. (Already being done.)
- Consider disability parking. More water. Accommodate community rooms/multi-purpose rooms to support use as a dance floor. Support more variety in what fitness can look like.
- Maintain height of pool rooms to lessen impact of the “wall of chlorine” on swimmers with respiratory problems.
- Consider use of roof for yoga classes.
- More water. Support tinted exterior windows to let people see in.
- Morning lap swimmers experience conflicts in the summer when kid camps take up all the lap lanes. Program aerobic pools for learn-to-swim which would take the pressure off.
- More water. Does the two pool concept work? Can you consider one huge pool? Need more showers and locker rooms and handicap access to showers. (Two pools can’t be at the same temperature – lap swimmers like it cooler.)
- Consider glass strips for windows which are shaded at eye level but transparent below. Can windows on the south side of the building be higher to bring in more light?
- When will the current building close and how long before it will open? (We don’t know yet. A final design will be presented to the community at the next meeting at a date to be determined. We anticipate construction will take 18 months to two years.)
- Consider a larger fitness center. Will building be all electric? (Yes.)
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 