By Emily Harris
Uplift Local
HOOD RIVER — Hood River Parks and Rec wants to build a new pool. It would be in a building, not a tent. The play pool would be moved close to the locker rooms, and there would be more lap lanes, lots of windows, plus a patio with a splash pad.
The total projected cost to build it is $43.5 million, and the current pool would close for 1-2 years during construction.
That’s the essence of the package deal the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District will ask voters to approve in an election this May.
Open house
About 100 people filled the Hood River Middle School cafeteria to see parks officials present the concept during an evening open house Dec. 10. Christy Christopher, chair of the Hood RIver Parks and Recreation District board, said the design is based on community feedback that prioritized durability, affordability, and outdoor space. She told the crowd that the current pool is not going to last much longer.
“It’s at the end of its life,” she said. “It is still operating, but it’s just kind of barely hanging on.”
Christopher cited issues such as HVAC failures that have caused the pool to close periodically, major tears in the tent enclosure that were temporarily fixed with zip ties and duct tape, the likelihood that needed repairs will continue to accumulate, and the fact that the current facility isn’t up to current code standards for accessibility or safety.
“There’s quite a list of different things that could go wrong with fairly big price tags, and there’s not a lot of money to fix those things,” she said, adding that without voter approval for a new pool, operating days may be reduced and it’s a “fairly likely scenario that it will close at some time.”
Some voters in the room quickly made up their minds to support the effort after seeing the designs and hearing the budget.
“I’m all for pools,” said Maura Cardwell, who takes her grandkids to swim. “And I think they’ve done a good job cutting the cost.”
Others were more hesitant.
Jenny Montague moved to Hood River from Maine a few months ago, seeking a community that valued recreation. One of her children, a high school sophomore, is on the water polo team, so she’d hate to see the pool close for potentially the next two years.
And then there’s the price tag.
“I was astounded by the cost of the home that I purchased in Hood River. So thinking about taxes is part of my interest as well,” Montague said. “I want to hear that [the pool] is being done as frugally as possible.”
Brian Smith, a Hood River resident sitting at the same cafeteria table, agreed. “I think the design is wonderful,” he said. “But $43 million is a lot of money…it’s a big heavy lift.”
Last year, voters rejected a $72 million bond that included a new pool, community center, and new parks and trails.
This new proposal is just to build the pool. A separate question on the ballot will cover operating costs for the pool and the parks district services. Property taxes would pay for both.
Vince Ready, a supporter who was involved in the push for a new pool that failed last year, said the current effort was better-vetted with the community.
“People have been thinking a lot about this,” he said. “I am hopeful.”
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Emily Harris is a co-founder and Uplift Local’s Community Journalism Director, overseeing the local newsroom network and the Documenters program. Read full meeting notes of HRVPRD related public meetings at columbia-gorge.documenters.org: Oct.15 meeting by Documenter Chelsea Clark, and Sept. 30 meeting, by Documenter Marit Knapp.
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