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Osborne Aquatic Center assessment under way; Corvallis SD 509J signs contract as community partners seek millions for repairs
Summary
District staff said Corvallis SD 509J owns Osborne Aquatic Center, has not operated it for years and has commissioned a facilities assessment; a local legislator has requested $5 million and the district has historically subsidized annual operations.
The Corvallis School District (Corvallis SD 509J) is moving forward with a facilities assessment for the Osborne Aquatic Center, district finance staff told the budget committee.
Lauren Wolf, director of finance, said the district owns the pool but has not operated it for several years and recently executed a public procurement contract to begin a technical assessment of the facility. She told the committee she expects the assessment to show "multiple millions of dollars" would be required to bring the pool to operational condition.
Wolf said a coalition of partners — the city, the county, the Benton Community Foundation, the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, local swim organizations including Oregon Swim, and others — are working on plans to secure capital funds. She also said local legislator Sarah Gilser Bluen has requested $5,000,000 at the state level to help address the pool’s needs.
District implications: Wolf said the district historically subsidized pool operations and has contributed about $100,000 per year to the city-run program. "That program runs in the red," she said, and the district has helped cover operating shortfalls. Wolf said the district will continue to be a collaborator but cannot prioritize pool capital needs over classroom staffing and core programs in the district budget.
Why it matters: Osborne Aquatic Center serves local programming and, according to staff, attracts regional swim activity with economic and community benefits. The magnitude of capital needs means the district will coordinate with city, county and philanthropic partners rather than fund a major renovation solely from the school budget.
Ending: Wolf said the assessment contract was signed and work is starting; the district expects further information on cost and partners’ commitments before making any budgetary decisions.
