2025 Pool Options Study
Overview
The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District provides a year-round Aquatic Center, 73 acres of parks, 6 miles of trails, and youth recreation programs.
The May 2024 bond and levy to fund a new facility and support district operations did not pass. Since then, HRVPRD has been working to listen to the community and learn from your feedback. We heard clearly that the community wants transparency and involvement in the decision-making process.
Last year, Parks & Rec hired the renown architectural firm, Integrus, to lead a comprehensive pool study. The scope of their work included:
A full assessment of current pool conditions
Opportunities for the community to give input
Conceptual design and renovation options
A detailed cost analysis to help guide future decisions about Aquatic Center.
This study was designed to involve the community, promote transparency, and ensure that your voice helps shape what comes next.
Final Concept Layout
The final facility concept maintains a similar size and scope to the current building but is arranged on a single floor to improve flow and accessibility. The warm-water pool and competition pool have been swapped so that those who most need easy access—seniors and children—are located closer to the entrance and locker rooms.
Concept View Looking North
The warm water recreation pool would be located adjacent to the locker rooms and lobby and designed with enough space for multiple uses, such as therapy sessions, lap swimming or learn-to-swim areas, and a zero-depth entry suitable for small children.
Funding the Rebuilt Pool
Hood River Parks & Rec will ask voters to approve a bond in May 2026 to fund the core facility features.
The Hood River Valley Parks & Rec Foundation will run a capital campaign to raise additional funds for enhancements beyond the bond-funded core.
If the bond passes, Hood River Valley Parks & Rec District will pursue state grant funding during design to support outdoor components of the project.
Pool Options Study Process
The architects began the study by examining the facility, interviewing staff, and gathering information. The architects confirmed the Aquatic Center is at the end of its useful life. The assessment identified required upgrades for electrical panels, fire sprinkler systems, building code compliance, and ADA accessibility. In the last year, the District addressed multiple unplanned mechanical repairs and tent wall failures.
A full assessment of the current pool conditions is available HERE, and you can see some of the findings in pictures below.
Community Input: 3 Community Meetings & 2 Online Surveys
July 9 — Open House at the Pool
At the open house, people had the opportunity to tour the facility, ask questions, give feedback at interactive stations, and learn more about Parks & Rec. An online open house detailing the facility's conditions was posted, along with survey questions about what is essential for a future pool. The online open house and pool findings are available HERE, but the survey is closed. The slides below show some of the facility’s conditions.
Sept 7 — Workshops at Parkdale Grange & HRV High School
Consultants used community feedback to create three potential pool concepts and gathered input on the concepts, essential features, and desired amenities. An online open house and survey were posted following this event to collect feedback on concepts and amenities. The online open house and concepts are available HERE, but the survey is closed. Architects used this feedback, along with feedback from the post-election survey report, to begin work on a single concept design.
Dec 10 — Open House at Hood River Middle School
The final pool concept was revealed and is shown to the left. Architects, pool experts, and board members walked participants through the concept designs, shared HRVPRD history, and explained the financial challenges the pool is facing.
Next Steps:
Hood River Parks & Rec plans to place a bond proposal to rebuild the aquatic center to meet safety and operational levy to support District services. The board of directors is reviewing information and feedback to further refine the proposal. The final proposal is expected by the end of the month. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.
Questions? Please shoot us an EMAIL or stop by the pool.