Yakima City Council Allocates Funds to Save Yakima Pools for Summer

Yakima’s Franklin and Lions Pools are set to open on April 15, thanks to a unanimous decision by the Yakima City Council on Tuesday.

YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO USE RESERVE FUNDING FOR POOLS

The council voted 7-0 to use $230,000 from the city reserve fund to cover necessary repairs at Franklin Pool and to fund operations for both Lions and Franklin pools during the upcoming summer months. The city funding will be coupled by public donations, which have played a a big role in ensuring the pools’ reopening.

READ MORE: A DROUGHT EMERGENCY IN YAKIMA AND WA STATE

FUNDING GOAL REACHED AND BEYOND

Mayor Matt Brown tells KIT News that the community has already reached the $120,000 donation goal, with an additional $30,000 pledged. Local businessman Forbes Mercy also contributed $10,000 to support the effort. The fundraising campaign has been led by lawmakers from eastern and central Washington, aiming to restore the pools after their closure was proposed as part of the 2025 budget cuts for 2026.
Brown says the council was inclined to support the initiative because of widespread community backing.

BOTH POOLS WERE CLOSED AFTER BUDGET CUTTING

Both pools, which had been closed due to financial constraints, are a long-standing summer tradition for Yakima families seeking recreation and relief from the upcoming summer heat. In response, lawmakers launched a public-private partnership and a fundraising effort to make the reopening possible.

OPENING POOLS DESPITE CHALLENGES

City staff are now working to make sure the pools open around April 15, giving local families a chance to enjoy summer swimming once again.
The successful partnership highlights the community’s dedication to maintaining important pools despite ongoing budget challenges. City officials say the pools’ reopening is seen as a victory for residents and a testament to the power of community support and local leadership.