Albany and district officials flag $6 million in needed repairs to community pool; city weighs funding options

Kim Ladain, Albany's director of parks and recreation, told the joint meeting the Albany Community Pool is a district-owned facility operated under an intergovernmental agreement by the city since 1996. Ladain said the pool — an Olympic-size, 50-meter facility — will turn 47 years old in 2026 and that city staff currently operate on five-year leases, the current one running through 2029.

On condition and cost, Ladain said a recent facility assessment identified approximately $6,000,000 worth of repairs. She noted the city subsidized aquatics "about a little over $700,000" last year and that the pool’s operating cost is "a little over $1,000,000" annually. On specific maintenance items she said, "it costs about $350,000 to plaster a pool." Ladain said the district and city will need to be strategic and creative to fund major repairs and cited pursuing grants, including an application to the Energy Trust of Oregon for lighting upgrades.

Ladain described the program’s community reach: roughly 45,000 visits last year across school and public programs, and more than 1,300 third- and fourth-graders receiving water-safety instruction funded by the Shark Foundation. She said the city employs two full-time aquatics staff and up to 60 part-time staff during peak seasons.

Councilors asked how pool repairs could be funded and whether a 2027 bond or levy could include pool work. Gardner and Ladain said survey work and the district’s bond retirement in 2027 offer a timing window; Ladain said she and district staff would provide a more detailed breakdown after receiving the assessment paperwork. No formal funding decision was made at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will share the facility assessment details with board and council members and pursue grant opportunities while the city plans a public survey about services and amenities.