Columbia Indoor Pool, located at 7701 N Chautauqua Blvd, in Portland, Oregon, must remain closed until further notice due to life-safety hazards for building occupants. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) understands this is disappointing news for the North Portland community.
The structure is nearing the end of its useful life, and PP&R must prioritize public safety while determining the next steps for Columbia Indoor Pool. Since 2008, PP&R has worked with independent professional roofing contractors to inspect the building’s roof while also performing internal quarterly reviews.
Before welcoming the public back to Columbia Indoor Pool after the COVID-19 related closure, PP&R decided to have an independent structural engineer inspect the building before the public reentered the building for the 2021 summer season. PP&R made this decision through an abundance of caution for public safety.
The inspections indicated, among other things, deterioration of sections of the roof, visible damage to the roof’s supporting wood structure, and life-safety hazards present in the domed roof structure over the pool. Therefore, the independent structural engineer recommends that Columbia Indoor Pool not be reopened to the public in its current condition.
Again, PP&R recognizes that this is difficult news for the North Portland community, and the bureau shares the community’s frustration. PP&R will share more information with the public once the next steps for Columbia Indoor Pool are determined.