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The planned demolition of Columbia Indoor Pool, originally scheduled for early 2025, has been paused for one year. Mayor Wilson directed the pause in response to advocacy from District 2 Councilors Sameer Kanal, Council President Pirtle-Guiney, and Dan Ryan. No final decisions have been made.
Updates
This page will be updated as the project progresses and more information becomes available.
Columbia Pool Essential Stabilization Work to begin Tuesday, October 21, 2025
In order to stop roof leaks and water damage to the inside of the building, crews will be onsite from October 21-28 to do the following work:
- Cover the building with a waterproof layer
- Put dehumidifiers and fans in the building
This work is not part of a larger renovation plan. The demolition of the Columbia Pool is still on hold while Portland Parks & Recreation waits for direction from the Mayor and City Council about the future of the building.
Environmental Assessment Finds Unsafe Conditions Inside Columbia Pool Building
June 5, 2025
An environmental assessment conducted in 2025 found potentially hazardous levels of airborne and surface mold inside the Columbia Pool building. Based on the findings, warning signs have been posted on-site, and access to the facility is restricted.
Read the full report:
Columbia Indoor Pool Demolition Paused for One Year
March 17, 2025
The planned demolition of Columbia Pool has been paused for one year. Mayor Keith Wilson directed this pause at the request of District 2 Councilors.
This pause is not a decision or commitment to renovate Columbia Pool. Currently, no funding has been identified for renovation or reopening. There is no plan for more community engagement events at this time.
Updates will be shared here as more information becomes available.
January 13, 2025
The City has submitted an application for demolition permits, and plans for demolishing the Columbia Indoor Pool building are moving forward. A contractor is expected to be secured by early spring 2025.
December 6, 2024
Demolition plans for the Columbia Park Pool building are proceeding. The City plans to submit permits this winter, and to secure a contractor in early 2025. Portland Parks & Recreation will share more information when it is available.
Columbia Indoor Pool Closed
December 15, 2022
Columbia Indoor Pool is closed due to life-safety hazards for building occupants. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) understands this is disappointing news for the North Portland community.
Since 2008, PP&R has worked with independent professional roofing contractors to inspect the building’s roof while also performing internal quarterly reviews.
Read more at portland.gov/parks/news/2022/12/15/columbia-pool.
COVID-19
As a precautionary measure, Columbia Indoor Pool, like other recreation and aquatics facilities across the U.S., temporarily closed its doors to protect the health and safety of Portlanders. While hopes remained high for its eventual reopening, PP&R learned the building's structural integrity was lacking.
Life and Safety Hazards
In 2021, an independent structural engineering firm conducted an inspection, showing life and safety hazards that couldn't be ignored. With heavy hearts, the decision was made to close Columbia Indoor Pool for good.
Major Maintenance Backlog
Columbia Indoor Pool's closure is a reminder of the importance of sustainable funding and preservation for all community spaces if we want to ensure they remain pillars of our shared history.
Right now, PP&R faces a $600 million major maintenance backlog across Portland's parks and recreation system. Without sustainable funding, a significant number of park assets could be lost in the next 15 years.
Visit other North Portland Pools
The City knows the loss of Columbia Pool is difficult, and encourages Portlanders to check out Pier Outdoor Pool, Peninsula Outdoor Pool, and Matt Dishman Indoor Pool as the closest PP&R swim pool locations to Columbia Indoor Pool.
See all outdoor pool locations
Columbia Indoor Pool Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia Indoor Pool, a beloved community gathering place, was an important part of North Portland's identity since it was built in 1930. For decades, Columbia Indoor Pool served as more than just a recreational facility. It was where family, friends, and neighbors came together not just to learn how to swim, but to have fun.
Countless young swimmers took their first strokes here, going from nervous doggy paddles to confident laps. Lessons learned and relationships built at Columbia Indoor Pool extended far beyond the water's edge, enriching lives and imparting values that transcended swimming.
The pool was closed due to life and safety hazards, as well as diminishing structural integrity. In other words, the facility was beyond repair and, after 93 years of operation, was at the end of its useful life. For more details about the closure, please see this press release written at the time of the decision to close the facility, or the Frequently Asked Questions document linked above.