The main natatorium includes a 60-feet wide by 120-feet long competition pool with a movable bulkhead. The main pool volume is 361,000 gallons, with a flow rate of 1,050 gallons per minute (GPM), a surface area of 7,200 feet, and a turnover rate of 6 hours. There is also a diving pool and diving tower with 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards and a diving platform. Additional space within the structure contains the entrance lobby, spectator areas, shower/restroom/locker facilities, leisure, teaching, and hydrotherapy pools along with extensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing facilities. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Indoor Swim Center has been in operation for over 35 years without any major renovation/modernization initiatives, and many of the building components and systems are at the end of their useful life. Multiple evaluations of building systems have been performed and extensive upgrades to, if not outright replacement of, entire building systems are recommended. If any of these systems fail, the facility will be unable to continue operating. The purpose of this project is to accomplish required renovations to protect the capital asset and to allow the facility to continue providing regular service to its customers.

Natatorium renovation design work scheduled to begin in FY27, and construction is expected to begin in FY28.

Initiating this project and completing the renovations/replacement in a planned, methodical approach is preferable to a system failure that would close the pool for extended emergency repairs. Many building systems will be affected, including roof, HVAC, pool filtration, and pumps along with accessibility and operating program elements. This renovation will require that the entire facility be closed.

With the facility closed due to Covid-19, interior painting (upper floor and pool areas), installation of new ceiling grid and tiles, replacement/refinishing of doors, new vestibule sliding doors, a new reception desk, addition of a small meeting room, and replacement of the roof (sloped roof over main indoor pool) was completed. Renovation of restrooms at the upper and lower floors, addition of a second lower floor single restroom and renovation of the existing one, renovation of the locker rooms, replacement of the railing at the stairs and the balcony overlooking the pool, installation of new signage and water fountains, ADA compliant parking and walkways at the main entrance, new carpet, new furniture, pool starting blocks, diving platforms and balcony ADA seating were also completed.

East County Regional Services Center, Department of Permitting Services, Department of General Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Recreation, Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, WSSC Water, Pepco