For Pool fees and program schedule, click here.
Final construction notes are at the Veneta Pool Construction Blog!
What happened to the old swimming pool?
The existing pool, located on East Broadway Avenue at City Park, was constructed in 1959 to provide water safety training and summer recreation. After 47 years of service, the pool floated out of the ground in 2006 during an unusual storm event when the pool had been drained for maintenance.
Updated Pool Design as of May 22, 2009 |
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Aerial view from southwest |
Can it be repaired?
Two experts evaluated the City’s options for repairing or replacing the pool. Both said that repairing the pool would require extensive reconstruction, and neither one could guarantee the repairs would last. Both recommended replacement over repair.
What options were considered?
Robertson Sherwood Architects PC, a firm with experience in municipal swimming pools, provided three options for replacement:
- Option 1: A seasonal outdoor 25-yard/four-lane pool, naturally ventilated shower rooms, teaching/play pool, therapeutic spa pool, and lawn area. Estimated cost: $2,736,100.
- Option 2: A seasonal outdoor 25-yard/six-lane competitive pool, larger year-round climate controlled shower rooms, a separate teaching/play pool, therapeutic spa pool and lawn area. This option would be designed to be enclosed and operate as a year-round facility at a later date. Estimated cost: $3,187,900.
- Option 3: Basically Option 2, except fully enclosed and climate controlled for year-round, indoor operation. Estimated cost: $5,548,875.
Which option was chosen and why?
The Pool Committee and City Council chose Option 2 – an outdoor pool that can be covered in the future. A year-round, indoor pool, although favored by many residents, would be too costly for the City to build and operate without help from the larger Fern Ridge community. The committee explored the concept of forming a parks and recreation district, but worried that doing so could delay the pool by several years.
How will the City pay for construction?
The City Council has proposed funding one-third of the cost through issuance of $1.1 million in general obligation bonds. This bond issue would require voter approval of a bond measure on the November 4th 2008 ballot. Grants, private contributions and City funding would cover the other $2.1 million needed for construction.
What will the bond measure cost taxpayers?
In order to repay the bond, the 20-year levy passed by voters would cost property owners 28¢ per $1,000 of assessed valuation – approximately $34 per year for the owner of a typical Veneta home.
Why can’t admission fees fund the new swimming pool?
Municipal swimming pools typically don’t make enough money to support operations, much less construction. A 2005 study of eleven Oregon pools by ECONorthwest found that, on average, admission fees recover only 53 percent of operating expenses.
 Didn’t the city have insurance on the pool?
The city received approximately $300,000 in insurance funds when the previous pool was damaged. These funds are part of the City’s $1 million commitment.
What other options do Veneta residents have?
There are no other public pools available in the Veneta area. The average cost
of gas for a round trip and admission for two children to public pools in Eugene is about $12* and involves significant driving and waiting time for parents.
*The average distance of public pools in Eugene from the intersection of Territorial and Highway 126 is 15 miles one way. At 30 round trip miles figured at 20 mpg and $4/gallon for gas, the total cost of driving is $6. The average Eugene pool admission is $3 per child for a total of $12 for gas and admission for two children.
Facts about funding a new community swimming pool
Veneta Swimming Pool Conceptual Design Study ( PDF*
format)
Veneta Pool Community Attitude Survey ( PDF*
format)
| More Views of the Pool |
View from Southwest (ground level ) |
Southwest aerial (high view) |
PDF
files require Acrobat
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