The city of Covington’s work on renovating its public swimming pool has garnered a statewide award.

The Spotlight Facility and Park Award for “best facility design resulting in positive community impact” was presented at the 2008 annual Washington Recreation and Park Association (WRPA) meeting in Kennewick April 24.

The association cited the 2006-07 improvements to the Covington Aquatic Center. The city-operated pool is continuing to undergo upgrades.

Parks and recreation professionals, facilities and parks, programs and recreation media from throughout Washington were singled out for awards from WRPA.

Covington’s award was accepted by recreation and aquatics manager Pat Patterson and aquatics supervisor Ethan Newton.

The pool was operated by King County before the county transferred its ownership to the city in 2004.

Upgrades by the city have included re-plastering and re-tiling the entire pool area, resurfacing bleachers and refinishing a bulkhead.

Improvements still to come include replacing the pool’s heating and air-conditioning system, which is 30 years old. Officials said recently they hope to replace the system this year.