The New Rengstorff Pool Is Open — Just in Time for Summer
Hey Mountain View, guess what? After what felt like ages (nearly three years, actually), the brand-new Rengstorff Park pool is officially open — and just in time for warmer days ahead.
The city threw a ribbon-cutting party on March 29, but folks had already started dipping their toes in earlier that month with lap swims and aqua classes. So if you’ve been itching for a good swim or just a spot to cool off, this is your sign to check it out.
The new aquatics center is pretty slick. There’s a big 25-yard by 25-meter lap pool with diving boards, plus a separate activity pool for families and kids — complete with water play features and (this is sweet) the original bright blue slide from the old Rengstorff pool. Yep, they saved it. A nice little nod to all the summers spent there over the years.
The main building next to the pools is new too — about 8,200 square feet, with showers, locker rooms, a community room you can rent, and a big welcoming lobby. It’s also fully electric, which the city is proud of. Everything from the pool heaters to the showers runs on clean energy, which cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions. Mayor Ellen Kamei even made a point to highlight that at the grand opening.
This whole thing cost $29 million and was paid for through the Park Land Dedication Fund — basically money from developers who choose to pay fees instead of building park land in their projects. Construction kicked off in 2022 and was supposed to be done last summer, but like most big builds, it ran into some delays — especially with getting the hot water systems up and running.
Now that it’s finally open, people are excited — though some have pointed out the new locker rooms feel a bit tight. The city says it’s aware and is looking into possible fixes.
If you’re ready to jump in, here’s what you need to know: Mountain View residents can grab a day pass for $6 or a 25-swim punch pass for $99. The center offers lap swimming and water fitness year-round, and recreational swim starts Memorial Day weekend (May 24). Family season passes are $155 if you live in town, and spring swim lessons kick off April 8, with summer sessions starting June 7.
So yeah, if you’ve been missing the old Rengstorff pool — or just looking for a new spot to swim, hang with family, or get in a few laps — the wait is finally over. Swing by, take a look, and maybe even ride that familiar old slide one more time.