South Enders like to grumble about getting the short end of the stick. And it’s true, residents there generally face more crime and fewer amenities. How delightful, then, that at an intersection known for rough activity, Rainier Avenue South and South Henderson Street, the city has planted a state-of-the-art pool complex that is drawing residents from all over town. The old Rainier Beach Pool was a dark place that made you feel as though you were swimming in a basement. This completely remade pool is lined with windows, letting in light even during the height of winter. Like the best pool complexes these days, it boasts one pool for lap swimming and another for kid-oriented fun, with a slide, a lazy river, and a spray-filled toddler area. There’s also a sauna, a hot tub, and a nearby exercise room (the pool is part of a community center) so you can get more or less active, as you see fit. Warning: This place is popular. Pay close attention to the rather complicated pool schedule (there are several sessions of limited duration throughout the day) and get there early. The pool frequently maxes out and turns people away.

8825 Rainier Ave. S., 386-1925

Read all of our picks for Sports & Adventure, and explore the rest of this year’s edition of Best of Seattle.