On Tuesday, March 28, North County Recreation District awarded the contract for construction of a new swimming pool, to be located adjacent to its existing facility in Nehalem. The Notice to Proceed was issued to Par-Tech Construction Inc. the following day. This award follows an open bidding process in which three bids were received. Par-Tech’s bid at $10.9 million was the lowest received for the base scope.
Par-Tech is a family-owned construction company based in Oregon City, with extensive experience in commercial building under government contracting regulations. Their subcontractors will include a mix of Oregon-coast based companies. Preliminary work on-site is planned for mid-April, subject to receipt of the County building permit. The contract calls for completion of Phase 1 by August 10, 2024.
This award is a major milestone in a long-planned development. NCRD’s existing swimming pool was built in 1930. It is not energy efficient and has been outgrown in capacity. Our experienced pool architect, Carl Sherwood of Robertson Sherwood Architects PC was engaged in 2012 to study alternatives, including the potential to upgrade the existing pool. However, changes in pool regulations and the need to expand capacity ruled this out. Fundraising continued from that time, and in 2020 a bond measure to fund the new pool was approved by voters. However, fundraising efforts were always battling the 5-7% annual construction cost inflation that significantly worsened in recent years with the impacts of COVID.
As a result, the project will be undertaken on a phased basis, as there remains much left to accomplish. Phase 1 will include the building and exterior site-works, including additional parking. Phases 2 and 3 will include the interior finishes for a 6-lane main pool and a large therapy pool. We will need to raise an additional $1.6 million before these phases can be completed. To assist in fundraising, NCRD has engaged a local consultant, Fiorelli Consulting. NCRD Board Chairman Jack Bloom stated, “I want to be clear. North County taxpayers have provided more than enough support for this new facility through the 2020 Bond Measure. The new pool will be a significant attraction for new residents and tourists in Tillamook County. It is time for other donors to step up and join the good citizens of North County to help us in recognition of the benefits the new Aquatic Center will bring to the entire County!”
When completed, the new facility will have a six-lane main pool and separate therapy pool, housed in a 15,000 sq. ft. building including showers and changing rooms. New parking spaces will be shared with NCRD’s Performing Arts Center and the existing Recreation Center.
Barbara McCann, NCRD Executive Director, said, “Our small rural community has achieved a monumental goal! For the last 90 years our local children have learned how to swim in a pool that previous generations had the foresight to build in 1930 during the Great Depression. Since then, every child in our community learns how to swim as part of their basic education. Now we can carry on that vital service for future generations.”