Pullman’s Schweitzer Wellbeing Center Set to Reopen on Monday

The Military Hill indoor pool in Pullman will be reopening as the Schweitzer Wellbeing Center on Monday, March 4, 2024. The facility, previously known as the Pullman Aquatic and Fitness Center, underwent a change in ownership after Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) acquired it late last month. Located at 500 NW Greyhound Way, the center was formerly owned by the Pullman School District and operated by the city of Pullman.

The decision to purchase the aquatic center was initiated by Edmund O. Schweitzer III, founder of SEL, and his wife, Beatriz Schweitzer. They offered to buy the facility last year amid growing concerns regarding its financial maintenance. The acquisition included a significant investment of $5 million, which, according to a December 2023 announcement from the school district, will ensure that the center remains accessible to the public.

Facility Upgrades and New Programming

According to Kristin Gehring, operations manager for the SEL Family Center, the property team is actively developing plans to enhance the facility. “These improvements will include updates to enhance aesthetics, safety and energy efficiency,” Gehring stated in an email. She expressed excitement about the forthcoming changes, promising to share updates with the community soon.

SEL has also announced plans to expand the facility’s operating hours and programming options. The new hours are now available on the center’s website, swcpullman.com. Gehring mentioned that the staff is still finalizing programming details and looks forward to sharing those plans shortly.

The aquatic center, which first opened 25 years ago, was established with a $2.5 million donation from the Schweitzer family. To commemorate this milestone, the center is offering a 25% discount on new monthly memberships for the first three months following registration. Day passes will also be available for purchase starting Monday. All membership information can be found on the center’s website.

Gehring confirmed that the city did not sell memberships that extended beyond the end of 2025. Representatives from Pullman Parks & Recreation directly assisted patrons in resolving memberships that carried over into the new year. Community members interested in staying informed about facility upgrades, events, and programming are encouraged to sign up for the center’s mailing list or follow its social media pages.

For further inquiries, community members can contact Gehring via email at [email protected].