The projected cost of the huge aquatic center is $50m, according to Portland Parks & Recreation. In 2021, a pledge of $11.7m was made by Commissioner Carmen Rubio to go toward future construction of the center.
Both Portland Public Schools and Nike officials urged the Oregon legislature to supply the initially requested $33m. However, that proposed amount from Rep. Travis Nelson, was reduced by more than half. Nonetheless, Commissioner Rubio has stated that she still believes an allotted $15m should be counted as a win.
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The goal of the North Portland aquatic center project is to address the lack of public pools in the area. In a statement, Nelson explained the situation to Willamette Week:
“This project will give folks a place to come together for physical activity, community involvement, keeping young people out of trouble and to teach our youth valuable skills.”
Another $23m will have to be found before work can start on the aquatic center, which Rubio says she is looking into. No site has been decided upon but possible locations include Columbia Park, the Charles Jordan Community Center, and Columbia Annex.