Drivers on Interstate 182 passing through west Pasco are about to see building activity begin on a long-awaited aquatics facility. 

The Pasco Public Facilities District recently approved a $40.4 million “guaranteed maximum price” for the project, according to a statement from Matt Watkins, the PFD’s executive director. The decision means that progress on the project with partners Bouten Construction and NAC Architecture remains on track for the aquatics center to be finished in May 2026. 

Site work is already underway on the Pasco aquatics center off Interstate 182 near Broadmoor Boulevard.

| Photo by Nathan Finke

“We’re doing everything we can to have the doors open to our new facility by Memorial Day 2026,” Watkins said. 

Pasco voters approved a 0.2% sales tax in 2022 to pay for the aquatics center, which collects 2 cents for every $10 spent in the city.  

The project is envisioned as a multiuse facility, with the first phase including lap lanes, lazy rivers and children’s areas, water slides and many other amenities. A second phase would add competitive swimming amenities. 

“I’m confident our community is going to enjoy this new facility as 60% of it is year-round and we’ve not had anything like that before,” Watkins said.