Mary Wayte Pool- Phase One Renovation Complete at Mercer Island’s Only Community Pool

Mary Wayte Pool ADA viewing area that looks out onto the pool and has non-stick epoxy flooring 

Mercer Island, WA, September 24, 2025 - Mary Wayte Pool is a symbol of community, pride and partnership on Mercer Island. It represents King County, City of Mercer Island, and Mercer Island School District’s shared commitment to the Island since 1972.

Backed by a $2 million investment by Mercer Island School District through the community approved 2021 Capital and Technology Levy and a $2 million King County grant, Mary Wayte Pool reopened on Tuesday, September 16 after a temporary summer closure to complete Phase 1 of a two-phase capital renovation project.

Phase 1 renovations include:

• Completely resurfaced pool liner
• New lobby configuration with ADA viewing area looking out onto the pool that will also serve as a small space for birthday parties and group events
• Updated ADA lobby bathroom with a new shower, toilet and fixtures
• New check in desk to the left of entry which includes a new pool office
• Renovated men’s and women’s locker rooms that include:
  • New lockers
  • New changing benches
  • New ADA shower and sink fixtures
  • New toilets and toilet partitions

• Partial installation of non-slip epoxy flooring
• New large LED scoreboard on west side of building (funded by a Mercer Island School’s Foundation Grant and OCA fundraising)
• Interior and exterior painting
• New water fountains and bottle fillers on the pool deck
• Removal of acoustical panels over the pool

As a result of exceptional stewardship and management of the project, the teams from GLY Construction, Miller Hayashi Architects, Olympic Cascade Aquatics, and the Mercer Island School District will complete additional projects in Phase 2 by the end of 2025.

Phase 2 of the renovations will include:

• New acoustical wall panels
• Complete installation of new non-slip epoxy flooring at the pool deck, locker rooms, and lobby area
• Replacement of the diving board
• Exterior siding repairs and painting

This $4 million capital renovation is the largest single investment project in the pool since it opened 53 years ago, ensuring Mary Wayte Pool can serve the community for another decade.

Superintendent Rundle captured Phase 1 stating, “In a time when community pools are closing and finding space for our high school teams to train and compete becoming increasingly more difficult, I am grateful for the collaboration between our county, city, and school district to preserve this community asset. However, none of this is possible without the support of the voter-approved levy from our Island residents. I think our community swimmers and visiting high school teams alike will be blown away by the transformation and more is yet to come in Phase 2!”

A good opportunity for community members to stop by Mary Wayte Pool to see the updates would be Thursday, September 25 as the MIHS girls swim and dive team takes on Inglemoor at 3pm or Thursday, September 30 when the MIHS boys water polo team plays Bainbridge Island 8pm.