McMinnville Council discusses future of community center and aquatic facility repairs

McMinnville City Council is taking significant steps to address the maintenance and upgrade needs of its community facilities, including the aquatic center, community center, and senior center. During a meeting on February 25, 2025, council members discussed the urgent need for a comprehensive facilities assessment to determine the costs associated with bringing these structures up to current safety and accessibility standards.

Councilor Cunningham emphasized the importance of understanding the rationale behind moving from simple repairs to more extensive renovations or new constructions. He called for a detailed, line-item cost estimate to clarify what renovations would entail, expressing concern over the community's perception of the current state of facilities, particularly the aquatic center, which has been criticized for its maintenance issues.

City staff acknowledged that previous assessments did not include seismic upgrades, which are crucial for ensuring safety. They proposed obtaining updated estimates that reflect current construction costs, as previous figures may no longer be accurate due to inflation and market changes.

The council also discussed the historical context of budget decisions that led to reduced maintenance funding over the years. A shift in philosophy noted in the 2012 budget indicated a reliance on contingency funds for repairs rather than proactive maintenance, which has contributed to the current state of disrepair in some facilities.

In response to community concerns, the council is committed to a phased approach to restore parks maintenance, with funding proposals for the next two years still pending. They aim to ensure that future budgeting includes adequate provisions for ongoing maintenance to prevent a recurrence of past issues.

As the council moves forward, they are focused on gathering precise data to inform their decisions, ensuring that the community's needs are met while maintaining transparency about the costs and implications of proposed upgrades. The next steps will involve further discussions on budget allocations and the potential hiring of consultants to refine cost estimates for the necessary renovations.