By Paul Zucca
The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs recently closed the pool and fitness center of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Natatorium on Boulevard indefinitely because of safety and security issues identified in a building assessment conducted by an engineering firm. Recognizing the importance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Natatorium to the community and its many patrons, the department has partnered with the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) system to transition the aquatics program to Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School next month.
King Middle School, located at 545 Hill Street, is within a 2-mile radius of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Natatorium. The middle school has an indoor 6-lane, 25-meter pool as well as locker room facilities with showers. There is also free parking in the neighborhood on Connally Street, which is adjacent to the school. While the recreation center on Boulevard remains open, many longtime users of the pool are eager to resume their swimming routines as quickly as possible. To prepare for public use of the King Middle School swimming facility, the department must complete several steps, including:
- Working with APS to make physical improvements to the building to segregate the educational environment from the pool
- Enlisting the Department of Information Technology to install computers, phone lines, and Internet access
- Obtaining access and full use of locker room facilities at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
- Coordinating with the City of Atlanta’s Skilled Services team to do necessary upgrades, including security gates and a designated entry way into the school for patrons
- Securing a fitness room solution in the community
All of these items were scheduled to be completed and the middle school swimming facility was scheduled to be open for public use by early January 2013. The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs will send updates as that date approaches.
In the meantime, the department has extended the operating hours at two of the city’s other natatoriums. Both the Rosel Fann Natatorium and Washington Park Natatorium are operating under extended hours. If you are an annual pass holder and would like a refund or more information, please contact Aquatics Program Director Eric Ericson at 404-546-6774 or eericson@atlantaga.gov.
