PP&R Moves Forward With Critical Repairs at St. Johns Community Center

(Portland, Oregon) –

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is moving forward with critical repairs to the gym at St. Johns Community Center following the discovery of structural damage that led to the gym's closure earlier this year.

View full size image of An inspection shows a load-bearing support structure in the gym has decayed after water intrusion.

Following heavy rain in late January, PP&R staff observed that water appeared to have entered the gym. During the center's scheduled annual maintenance closure from February 9–13, maintenance staff conducted an inspection and discovered rotting wood on a weight-bearing post. Because of the potential safety risk, PP&R immediately closed the gym.

View full size image of An inspection showed that crucial structures in the gym had decayed after water intrusion. Because of the potential safety risk, PP&R immediately closed the gym.

PP&R then worked with structural engineers and roofing professionals to assess the condition of the building, determine whether the issue extended beyond the gym, and evaluate potential temporary and permanent repair options. A structural engineering assessment determined that the remainder of the community center was safe to remain open, allowing the facility to continue serving the community while the gym remained closed.

In the months that followed, PP&R staff continued working with engineers and roofing consultants to better understand the source and extent of the damage, evaluate repair options and determine the associated costs.

View full size image of Gym walls opened for inspection and upcoming repairs. Crucial structures in the gym have decayed after water intrusion. Because of the potential safety risk, PP&R immediately closed the gym.

"The City remains committed to identifying and pursuing long‑term funding solutions to maintain and improve our facilities and infrastructure," says Portland Mayor Keith Wilson. "Serving the needs of North Portland communities continues to be a top priority, and we'll keep working closely with residents to ensure this space can be restored and enjoyed for years to come."

In August, PP&R Interim Director Art Pearce approved the reallocation of funding and staff capacity needed to move the gym repair forward.

"We know the St. Johns community has been waiting a long time for the gym to reopen, and we understand the frustration that comes with an extended closure," says Pearce. "We've taken the time necessary to understand the problem and determine the right approach to address it. We're now moving forward with the work needed to safely restore the gym."

What happens next:

Design, permitting and construction work needed to restore the gym is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months. The timeline may change based on permitting, procurement, construction conditions and other factors.

PP&R will provide additional information about the project and its schedule as the work progresses.

The St. Johns Community Center repair has been prioritized because of the safety concerns associated with the damaged structure, the impact of the closure on community services and the limited availability of alternative facilities in the surrounding area.

Maintaining a large and aging park system:

The St. Johns Community Center is one part of a much larger system of parks, recreation facilities and other public assets that require ongoing maintenance and investment. PP&R currently has approximately $759 million in identified major maintenance needs across its portfolio.

With resources limited, the bureau regularly evaluates which projects should move forward based on factors such as safety, the condition of an asset, impacts on services and the availability of alternative facilities. Moving forward with the St. Johns gym repair means that some other planned maintenance work will need to be deferred. This can include projects such as repairs to park infrastructure, building systems, paths, utilities and other recreational amenities.

These needs remain on PP&R's list of planned work, and the bureau will continue to evaluate them as resources become available.

In recent years, aging infrastructure has resulted in closures, removals and temporary service disruptions at facilities and amenities across the park system. PP&R expects these challenges to continue as the system ages and the bureau works to address its highest-priority maintenance needs.

More information about PP&R's capital maintenance needs and funding sources is available at portland.gov/parks/funding-sources. PP&R appreciates the patience of St. Johns Community Center visitors and the broader community as the bureau works to safely restore the gym.

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