Rumsey Pool Likely to Close in January 2026 for Demolition/Reconstruction
by Larry Janezich
Posted December 19, 2024
Thursday night, DPR held the first of many community meetings on the modernization of Rumsey Aquatic Court.
CM Charles Allen called the project a once in a generation opportunity.
Thursday night, DPR held its first community meeting to launch the design phase for the construction of a new Rumsey Aquatic Center. CM Charles Allen told more than 150 attendees that they could swim for about another year while the new building is being designed and before the old building closes for at least 18 months of demolition and construction.
The meeting was held in the North Hall of Eastern Market and was presided over by DPR External Affairs official, Tommie Jones.
CM Charles Allen who shepherded the already-appropriated $37 million in funding for the project through the City Council spoke at the meeting.
Allen called the project a once in a generation opportunity and noted the challenges the project faced, being adjacent to the historic Eastern Market, and the importance of designing a structure appropriate for that space. He said he had met with several swim stakeholder groups and heard one consistent message: they want more water – more swimming lanes. He said he heard a lot of ideas about the second floor, including an observation deck where parents can watch their children swim. The second floor is currently slated to be a senior center with a tech lounge, a business incubator space, and an indoor fitness center. Another opportunity will be to reimagine the alley between the new building and Eastern Market and activating the dead zone on the C Street side (which used to be the original entrance to the building). He said, “The building will not be all things to all people,” but “we will turn to the community to ask whether we’re headed in the right or wrong direction – just let us know.”
Plans are under consideration to transport Rumsey swimmers to other pools during the closure. “The Rumsey users are a community, Allen said, “and we will do everything we can to hold the community together.”
In addition to ideas mentioned by Allen, DPR’s PowerPoint presentation listed other ideas which have been mentioned, including:
- Zero Entry Approach to pool (also known as beach entry pool).
- Locker Room improvements.
- Explore new ways to activate front plaza.
- Honoring local history.
- Multipurpose community spaces.
The preliminary Project Milestone Schedule is as follows:
- Dec 2024 Community Meeting 1 – Project kickoff community meeting.
- (Electronic Community Survey – February/March 2025)
- Spring 2025 Community Meeting 2 – Concept Review.
- (Schematic design phase)
- TBD Community Meeting 3 – Design Update.
- TBD Community Meeting Final Design.
- (Permitting Phase)
- TBD Community Meeting Construction Kick off.
- (Construction Updates)
During Q&A, some of the concerns which members of the community asked the design team to consider included:
- The importance of providing adequate funding for maintenance.
- Provision for swim meets.
- Transgender bathrooms.
- Expansion of the building footprint.
- Use of bromine or ozone instead of chlorine water treatment.
- Prioritizing use of the new building as an aquatic center.
- Keeping pool open until last minute.
Rumsey opened in 1970 as the Capitol East Natatorium – the first year round, racially integrated public swimming pool in the district. The facility renamed in honor of Dr. William H. Rumsey, former Director of the DC DPR and co-founder of the Black History Invitational Swim Meet. For more, see here: https://bit.ly/3RCTY70
The project website where Thursday night’s Power Presentation will be posted is here: https://dgs.dc.gov/page/rumsey-acquatic-center DPR says it will go live on December 20.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 