Wilson Aquatic Center in DC reopening

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Nearly a year after D.C. was forced to close it, one of the District’s major indoor aquatics facilities will reopen.

Thennie Freeman, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said Friday that the Wilson Aquatic Center in Tenleytown would welcome people back on Sunday, July 7.

The list of issues at the facility in Northwest was extensive and included major problems with its HVAC system. The troubles prompted the city to close the center in August 2023.

In February, Councilmember Matt Frumin, who represents Ward 3, shared an update on the work taking place in one of his weekly newsletters . The update included information from the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) which noted the scope of the $2.5 million project would include installation of new rooftop units, fans, and ductwork. DGS said it also was redesigning the HVAC system to “allow for more efficient and timely maintenance and inspections.”

In February, the indication was that the reopening date, which moved from the end of 2023 to sometime in the winter, would be in the spring.

In an Instagram post the week of May 19, 2024, Frumin shared pictures from inside the aquatic center, which he toured with the director of the Department of General Services. Frumin noted that DGS was “in the home stretch.” Crews were to begin filling the pool and give the center “a final deep clean, followed by the necessary inspections.”

Freeman said the aquatic center would reopen at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Because the Wilson facilty will be available again, Freeman said the District would scale back on the 6 a.m. opening time at Hearst Pool weekdays because Wilson would be opening at that time.

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