The Aquatic Facilities Grant Program is designed to support communities in King County by preserving and expanding public access to aquatic facilities. As the region continues to grow, many public pools have become obsolete or have reached capacity. This grant aims to fund activities that renovate, expand, or construct new public aquatic facilities to meet community needs.
Eligible applicants for this grant include cities or towns, school districts, park districts, and other public entities that own public aquatic facilities. Funding is available for a range of project types, including acquisition, feasibility studies, planning and design, and construction. All projects must ensure that public access is provided.
The grant offers varying levels of financial support depending on the scope of the project. Planning or feasibility studies can receive awards of up to $100,000, which may cover the full project cost. For construction projects, awards between $100,001 and $2,000,000 are capped at 50% of the total project cost, while awards ranging from $2,000,001 to $5,000,000 are capped at 25% of the total project cost.
Examples of fundable projects include the development of new aquatic facilities, renovation or repair of existing facilities, and expansion of current public aquatic facilities. However, certain projects are not eligible for funding under this program, such as spray parks (which are funded through the Parks Capital and Open Space program), public swim beaches, non-aquatic-related infrastructure within multi-use community centers, and routine operation and maintenance costs.
The grant application process is managed through King County’s Levy Grants program. More information, including a list of previously awarded projects, can be accessed through the program's website. Interested applicants should refer to the 2025 Grants Guide for details on submission requirements and deadlines. For inquiries, applicants can contact the grant administrators via email at parksgrants@kingcounty.gov.
