In 1972 the Northshore Pool opened on the site of the 1923 high school that had been demolished in 1961. The pool in 1984 was renamed the Northshore Ruiz-Costie Pool to honor the synchronized swimming duo of Tracie Ruiz-Conforto (Bothell '81)/Candy Costie Merrill (Inglemoor '81) who, between them, won two golds and one silver medal for synchronized swimming in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games.

Northshore Pool

Northshore Pool Now

Northshore Pool Interior now

Anderson Junior High now

Anderson Junior High - McMenamins now

It was placed on Northshore's school district property and was one of many pools built and financed by a February 13, 1968, King County bond issue dubbed Forward Thrust. As King County budget shortfalls began in 2002, various pools were shut down or transferred to other parties.

Subsequently, the Northshore Pool in Bothell was subsidized by the cities of Bothell and Woodinville and operated by Northwest Center.

In August 2009, the Northshore Pool was mothballed after the boiler broke and budget shortfalls prevented repairs. Then the city couldn't find an operator to take over.

The original Forward Thrust Bonds will be retired in May 2011. At the same time the associated Northshore Pool covenants expire.

Of all the historic school buildings constructed in Bothell from 1885 to the present, only two remain. The Main Street school from 1885 is now in the Park at Bothell Landing. The other is the original Bothell Junior High, built in 1931 and renamed W.A. Anderson in 1956 in honor of its first principal when he retired that year.

Early in 2010, Bothell launched a $150 million plan to redevelop its downtown. As part of that plan, the city bought 18 acres of downtown property from the Northshore School District for $20.6 million, in hopes of reselling it to developers with attractive proposals. 

Original Land Map

In an unusual public/private partnership, McMenamins, a Portland-based pub and hotel chain, purchased the 5.4-acre property comprising the Anderson building, pool, gym and other buildings for $7 million in cash and community benefits.

McMenamins is a business known for converting historic buildings into modern uses while maintaining their original character. They plan to turn the property into a boutique hotel and entertainment complex.

As part of the arrangement, McMenamins will give Bothell free access to community meeting space, the pool and gardens for 15 years.

Front of Anderson Junior High