Over the years, many islanders have stepped up to try to make year-round swimming a possibility on Vashon — and until recently, none of those efforts has come to fruition.

Now, thanks to a Herculean effort on the part of the Vashon Seals Swim Team, support from the Vashon Park District and contributions from the community as a whole, a graceful white dome is covering the pool, and public swimming will be possible as early as next month.

The project is sure to enhance the competitive swimming experience for members of the Seals team, but community members stand to benefit considerably from this additional avenue for exercise during the dark and dreary months of the year.

But as it goes with many perks in life, having a year-round public pool is a use-it or lose-it proposition, per the agreement the park district has with the Seals. The park district budgeted slightly more than $54,000 for the pool next year, and if it must spend more than $68,750 to support the facility, the dome will come down.

At the park district, Executive Director Elaine Ott-Rocheford made it emphatically clear that no one wants to see that happen, and she noted that a pool advisory group will meet monthly to provide close oversight. But she believes cost projections have been well estimated — so keeping this community asset will likely come down to community members themselves.

“The key driver in all this is revenue,” she said on Monday. “We need the public to come and swim and enjoy this new asset.”

We hope they will. The island as a whole will benefit — and individuals who make a habit of going will benefit as well. In fact, studies have found a wide range of going-to the-pool perks. Children who swim are reported to become more active adults, and conversely, swimming is said to be the next best thing to the Fountain of Youth: reducing blood pressure, increasing muscle mass and improving oxygen and blood flow to the brain, among other benefits. It is also easy on the joints and can help reduce inflammation. An added bonus is that it requires little gear: a swimming suit, a pair of goggles and maybe a swimming cap are all that is needed. All of that is good news for people living on island, where knowing how to swim could someday save their life. Plus, simply, swimming is fun.

The pool is expected to open next month, but we can start to get ready now. A pool pass would slip well into a Christmas stocking, and who wouldn’t like the gift of a new swimming suit as a solstice surprise?

While the last details are completed and the programming finalized, we hope islanders will extend gratitude to the many people who have worked hard to make this new addition to the community possible. We look forward to seeing you all at the pool.