The Washington Park Swimming Pool in Roanoke will open on June 7

The Washington Park pool is set to open

The new Washington Park swimming pool will open on Saturday, June 7. It will operate from noon to seven p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pool on the upper level, which opened in the 1970s, was closed because of toxic fumes in the ground beneath from a dump that was closed during the 1960s.

The new swimming pool is on the low level near Orange Avenue NW, where the original was many decades ago. Some locals believed the project might be incomplete because of the nearby Evans House. Initially, Roanoke Parks and Recreation would tear down the structure so there would be enough room for the pool.

The Evans House

The Evans House controversy

Some former residents of the Lincoln Terrace neighborhood said the building was old, an eyesore, and not worth saving. The Friends of Washington Park, who wanted to preserve the 1817 home, responded with an outcry to save Black History because the home was once a caretaker's cottage.

Roanoke City found a way to add the pool and leave the Evans home intact, but the historic site's fate is unclear. The Friends of Washington Park are attempting to obtain grants that will allow them to restore the house. Many Northwest Roanoke residents are happy the pool has been completed and is about to open.

The new pool has features

The features associated with the new swimming pool include a 14′ Slide, a kiddie slide, and a lazy river. There is also a Water Mushroom Fountain, 3 Lap Lanes, tumble buckets with rain shower, and a shade area with patio seating, a bath house, and an ADA lift. Pool admission will be $3 for ages 16 and up, $2 for ages 5-15, and free for children four and under.