Spring is fast approaching and that means the Sumner swimming pool will begin registration for swim classes this month.

The pool has been closed to the public since August, while the district tamped financial bleeding from the popular facility. District officials briefly considered, last spring, outsourcing the operation of the pool.

Under a plan spearheaded by Athletic Director Tim Thomsen, district officials  eventually decided to continue operating the pool in a reduced capacity. School swim teams were allowed to practice, as were club teams paying rent, but March will mark the first month the public will be able to use the pool in its reduced capacity.

“We knew there was a need,” said Sumner School District Communications Director Ann Cook.

Cook said when it was announced the pool would be closing, the district received a “passionate” response from parents about the need for swim lessons in a community that includes multiple lakes, including Lake Tapps.

When the pool closed, Cook said the district knew there were three groups that needed to be dealt with.

The first, student athletes, were allowed to continue practices and competitions. Club teams, such as the South Sound Titans, were also allowed to continue to rent the facility, though they provide their own lifeguards.

The third group that needed to be addressed was the public, particularly youth swim lessons, lap swimmers and water aerobics.

“Swim lessons were the priority for us,” she said.

Cook said the district was still gauging public interest in water aerobics, though if they return the district is leaning toward monthly memberships instead of the daily drop-in options of the past as a way to save money.

“[Classes and programs] all have to be self-supporting,” Cook said.

The student cost of swim classes directly cover the staffing needs for the lesson period and overhead costs of maintaining the pool. The facility still operates at a loss — a typical situation for community pools — but at a lesser loss than was the case in previous years, Cook said.

Persons interested in water aerobics should contact Thomsen to alert him to the level of interest in the community.

Classes offered include lap swim, eight years-and-up weekly group swim training, eight years-and -under weekly group swim training, and private lessons.

All classes are divided into monthly groups.

Slots are filling up fast, according to Parks and Recreation Director becky Giles.

“It’s been extremely popular,” she said, adding that each day the number of people signed up for swim lessons grows.

Lap swim costs $40 per monthly session, with 12 dates per season. Six lanes will be open from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturdays will have two lap swim sessions: three lanes will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and six lanes will be open from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Weekly group training costs $50. Eight years-and-older classes last 45 minutes and take place on Saturdays at 9 a.m., 9:50 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Eight-years-and-under classes last 30 minutes and take place Saturdays at 9 a.m., 9:35 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Private lessons are all ages, cost $75, and last 30 minutes per day. They will take place Saturdays at 10:45 a.m., 11:20 a.m. and 11:55 a.m.

Registration for all classes is at the recreation office behind Daffodil Valley Elementary, 15206 St Ct E in Sumner.

Brian Beckley contributed reporting to this article.