Aquatic Center looks ahead to remodel

By Rachel Kramer

The remodel of the Aquatic Center’s outdoor pool is looming on the horizon.

“We hope to be done April 15,” said Brandon Drawz, MHCC director of aquatics and recreation.

The project is estimated to cost $1.4 million, according to Drawz.

According to the proposal presented at the May 10 board meeting, it is aimed at repairing and making upgrades to the existing infrastructure, upgrading to high efficiency energy units, and increasing revenue via new customers and events.

According to Drawz, $300,000 will go toward the seasonal air dome over the outdoor pool, $600,000 will go toward infrastructure improvements and $500,000 will go toward energy upgrades and timing equipment.

According to Drawz, when the renovations are finished, the real difference will be seen in the fall when the dome is put on. Then the Aquatic Center will be able to run the same amount of programming during the fall that they do during the summer.

One goal of the project is to operate the outdoor pool year round for the same cost as operating it for 2 ½ months.

According to Drawz, they are already starting to see the effect of this project. The Aquatic Center has been chosen to host four swim meets that could have an estimated economic impact of $4 million to the Gresham-Portland area, according to a press release from Al Sigala, MHCC director of media and public relations.

The Aquatic Center will host the 2008 United States Masters Swimming Long Course National Championship and the 2008 Western Zone Long Course Championship.

According to Sigala, the college worked in partnership with Oregon Masters Swimming, Oregon Swimming and the Mt. Hood Swim Team to produce the winning bid for the meets.

The Aquatic Center will also host the 2007 and 2008 Speedo Champion Series Senior Sectionals.

Asked if the remodel could lead to a MHCC swim team, Drawz said, “There aren’t really any teams to compete with in the NWACC. I think we have a very good partnership with Mt. Hood Swim Team. This is sort of their homebase. They are a very big supporter of this project.”

According to Drawz, the swim team committed $100,000 in donations toward the project.

Once the project is fully approved by the MHCCD board, Drawz said the project should start quickly. “It’s going to happen and it is going to happen quick,” he said.

Although most of the construction will occur during the school year, Drawz does not see it causing a lot of disruption. “It’s not something we have had open anyway,” he said “And all the work is outside. And it can’t disrupt us because we are hosting the High School State Swim meet this year, in February. That’s a pretty big meet. We should have at least 1,000 people here.”

Drawz is working with the USA Swimming Facility Design Department on the request for proposal (RFP).

Drawz hopes to have the RFP go before the board at the Oct. 11 board meeting.