DPR Contact: John Stokes, (202) 673-7156

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will temporarily close the Wilson Aquatic Center starting August 23, 2010, for approximately three weeks, to perform yearly maintenance and deep cleaning. The facility will re-open on September 14, 2010. The general scope includes:

• Remove and drain all pool water according to local or federal regulations.
• Acid wash pool shell.
• Clean all pool drains.
• Service and perform maintenance on moveable bulkheads.
• Purchase and install new lighting throughout the facility.
• Clean and seal all existing tile floors through-out the building.
• Check hydrostatic relief valves.
• Replace and recharge pool media for pool tanks.
• Install and clean pool lights and pool shell lights as needed.
• Pressure wash pool deck.
• Deep cleaning of offices, locker rooms and lobby area.

This shutdown is necessary to ensure that DPR can continue to provide a quality facility with conditions that will optimize the positive experiences of the residents of the District of Columbia.

To accommodate swimmers, DPR will offer expanded hours of operation at Francis Pool, 25th and N Street, NW (202)727-3285. Expanded hours will be Monday through Friday, 6:00am – 8:00pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am – 6:00pm. 25 meter lap lanes available.

Lap swimmers that wish to utilize 50-meter lap lanes may visit East Potomac Pool, 900 Ohio Drive, SW (202)727-5623. Monday through Friday, 1:00pm - 7:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm (Closed Wednesday).

DPR is committed to maintaining and improving the public recreational and aquatic facilities of the District of Columbia to enhance every community’s access to a clean and safe recreational environment. The maintenance work to the Wilson Aquatic Center is industry standard and is part of a city wide effort to uniformly maintain and modernize facilities.

Visit DPR on the web at dpr.dc.gov. For more information, please call DPR Aquatics (202) 671-1289.