The Evergreen Aquatic Center Annual Fundraiser 2026 will take place on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM PST at Savusa Hall at the White Center Hub (10829 8th Ave SW). This year, the community aims to raise $30,000 to ensure individuals and families throughout the region continue to have access to vital recreation, water safety education, and lifeguarding programs. Every contribution helps remove financial barriers to participation, creating opportunities for people of all ages to build confidence and develop life-saving aquatic skills. Attendees will enjoy an evening of community, generosity, and fun featuring live entertainment, a selection of heavy appetizers, and two drink tickets included with admission. You can learn more, purchase tickets, and support the event directly at https://evergreenaquaticcenter.betterworld.org/events/evergreen-aquatic-center-annual.
A Five-Decade Legacy of Community Resilience
Historically known as Evergreen Pool, the center spans over five decades of service to White Center and the broader Highline area. The facility opened in 1970 as one of 16 indoor public swimming pools constructed across King County under the landmark 1968 Forward Thrust bond initiative. Built on Highline Public Schools property adjacent to Evergreen High School, the pool served local residents under King County operation and maintenance for nearly four decades.
When the 40-year Forward Thrust funding mechanism expired in 2009, post-recession budget deficits led King County to transfer operational responsibility back to school districts, resulting in the facility's closure by Highline Public Schools in September 2009. In response, local swim families, community leaders, and the White Water Aquatics Swim Team spearheaded a grassroots campaign to form Whitewater Aquatics Management (WWAM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. WWAM established a public-private partnership in March 2010 and officially reopened the pool in May 2010 through volunteer labor and community donations, operating successfully without relying on a dedicated tax district.
After 50 years of continuous use, severe cracking in the pool's original 1970 concrete gutter system developed, causing the facility to lose nearly 100,000 gallons of water per month. In 2022, WWAM and Highline Public Schools secured over $266,000 in King County Parks Levy grants toward a $300,000+ structural modernization project. Following concrete restoration and gutter wall reconstruction, the pool reopened in February 2023 and currently supports roughly 80,000 visits each year.
