Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District
Pool Options Study, Conceptual Design, and Operational Cost Analysis
Request for Proposals (RFP) Advertisement

 

First Review Date: January 30, 2025

The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District (District) is soliciting proposals from qualified engineering or architecture firms to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for various aquatic facility concept plans and to gather community input.

This RFP is for the purpose of evaluating a consultant who will be awarded a direct procurement pursuant to ORS 279C.110(10). Accordingly, the first review of proposals will be on January 30, 2025, at the District offices, but may remain open if a suitable consultant is not identified.

The District reserves the right to reject any bid not in compliance with this Request for Proposal or all public contracting procedures and requirements and may reject for good cause any or all bids upon finding that it is in the public interest to do so. The District is not liable for any costs incurred by the proposer for the proposal preparation or presentation.

The full description of the Request for Proposal can be found HERE. A hard copy can also be obtained from our offices at 1601 May Street in Hood River, OR, 97031.

First Published December 30, 2024

Date: 1/17/25

Please see the answers to the following questions below that were received on January 13, 2025:

Is there an anticipated project budget?

The anticipated budget can be found in the RFP (Proposal Requirements, 4. Work Plan) “Provide a detailed work plan and schedule of anticipated and supplemental tasks (not specifically identified in this RFP) you deem necessary for completing this project. Include the proposed team member and estimated hours assigned to each task. Include a cost proposal for the proposed work plan with potential cost-saving options not to exceed $95,000.”

Clarification to question #1: I do want to clarify question #1 – I was asking more about the target budget for the full design and construction of the project. I realize the study will probably tease that out to a degree, but knowing this went to vote once before and the initiative didn’t pass, does the department (or Council) have a target budget that would be more appealing to voters? As we understand, the previous bond was $72M – will that be the ask the next time around?

We do not have a target budget for the construction project. The public input process will be essential in understanding what people will support in a future ballot measure. For a little more background, the $72M bond proposal included moving the aquatic center to a different location, adding a community center and gymnasium, and other capital projects.  The Post Election Survey Report can be found HERE. The cost of the proposal was listed as the top reason for people voting no.

 

Is there a target size of the building, in square feet?

No target size has been identified.  However, the building would need to be as large as the current building and likely larger to address ADA standards, pump room and chemical storage space, increased office space, and to address the current and future programming needs. The current project site is limited by its size (1.35 acres).  

 

It’s a little unclear if the intention is for the pool to be enclosed or an outdoor facility, please provide some clarification.

The intention is for the pool to be an enclosed, year-round facility. Public input will play an important part in the vision of an enclosure. Currently, the pools are enclosed with tension fabric that is supported on a metal structure, allowing it to be year-round, but also have the ability to have some of the tent panels removed for the summer months.

 

What type of swimming programs are desired: competition swimming, fitness swimming, leisure, or some combination of all?

For programming, a combination of competition, fitness, leisure, and water safety education (swim lessons) are desired.

 

We understand that the bond initiatives on the 2024 ballot both failed, are there other funding mechanisms expected to help fund the project?

We continue to search for additional funding for the project. Currently, a nonprofit (501(c)(3) is being formed to supplement funding for the parks and recreation system in Hood River. While this type of organization will not be able to raise the funds needed, it may be able to supplement the project. The outcome from this project will help to inform a future ballot proposal.

 

What is the anticipated schedule for the project? When do you hope to be open?

Per the RFP, the Firm should assume construction would begin no earlier than 2027.  A rough schedule would include:

  • May 2026 - The board has tentatively planned to put another ballot proposal before the voters.

  • Assuming voter approval, a potential timeline could be:

    • Summer 2026 – Bid for design and construction.

    • Late Summer 2026 – Bid awarded.

    • Fall-Spring 2026-2027 – Project design

    • Summer-Fall -2027 – Begin project construction

    • Summer 2028 or before – Facility Opens

 We will look to the consultant to advise us on a realistic timeline.

 Other than the aquatics aspects, are there other recreation programs anticipated at this site?

HRVPRD owns no recreational facilities for recreational programs. Options in the 2017 Pool Enclosure Study included some space for additional programming. The public input will help to inform whether additional space for other programming is included. It should be considered a possibility for the project.

 

Are there any sustainability goals or initiatives to consider?

We would like the new facility to be energy efficient to reduce energy costs, but not to the point that the upfront construction costs of making things more efficient outweighs the long-term savings on utility bills.

 Per the scope, “All designs must consider the costs, energy efficiency, water conservation, and enclosure types. Designs should account for the various users, current and future programming needs, and operations and staffing needs. The report should also estimate each concept facility's life expectancy and include industry standard recommendations, such as cost-saving construction methods, maintenance considerations, sustainable energy options, technology integration considerations, and risk management.”

 

 Will this project seek any certifications – LEED? WELL? Fitwel? Etc.

Unless a certain grant or funding source requires a certification and is enough to cover the increased cost of construction to achieve that certification, we are not planning to seek any.

 The District was working with an architect and aquatic engineer previously, will those firms be precluded from bidding on this study?

No.

 

The pool study provided as reference to the RFP material indicated a short remaining lifespan of both the pool and the tent structure. We are now beyond those projected dates, have any measures been taken to prolong both the pool vessel and the enclosure?

Yes, we regularly perform maintenance and address issues as they arise. While it’s not an exhaustive list, some examples of measures we have taken include:

  • Patches to the west wall after breaches due to gorge winds and the fabric’s deterioration over time.

  • Replacement of major components to the HVAC system.

  • Filter replacement for both the therapy and wade pools, as well as the sanitation control unit on the therapy pool.

  • Replacement and repair of tent panels for the roof enclosure.

 

What is the plan to maintain the facility over the duration of design, permitting, and construction or will the pool close?

The community desires us to keep the pool open a long as possible. Since we will likely have to rebuild on this site, we are prepared to close. In this case, we would attempt to schedule our closing date to have the least amount of impact on users, particularly the high school competitive sports programs (fall and winter).