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Committee confronts $1.5M–$1.6M shortfall to finish Riverton Pool repairs
Summary
Parks staff said additional structural and systems problems uncovered during Riverton Pool reconstruction have created a roughly $1.5M–$1.6M funding gap; staff recommended bonding as the preferred fix but offered reallocation or pause as alternatives and will return with option details and public hearing scheduling.
Parks and facilities staff told Portland's Finance Committee on May 7 that Riverton Pool requires work discovered during demolition — including a redesigned stainless-steel gutter and filtration system, regrading of the pool bottom to meet modern safety codes, failed floor drains that require jackhammering and retiling, and bonding/grounding clarifications — and that completing reconstruction will cost about $1.5 million to $1.6 million more than previously appropriated.
Ethan Hippel, director of parks, recreation and facilities, said the council has already allocated about $3 million to the project and staff have spent roughly half; the new shortfall reflects added work discovered during the project and contingencies to avoid returning again for more funding. Hippel said the department's preferred option is to issue additional bonds for roughly $1.6 million, which staff estimate would add about $145,000 in annual debt service over 20 years.
Councilors across the political spectrum said they want the pool finished quickly, noting community expectations and programmatic needs. Councilor Ben Grant asked whether bonding versus reallocating existing CIP funds would materially affect the project start; staff said no — once council gives spending authority staff can begin work because funds exist in the capital and operating accounts. Several councilors asked staff to prepare both analyses: (1) bond and annual-debt-service figures and (2) fair candidate projects that could be delayed or reallocated within the CIP.
Staff also outlined the possible alternatives: pause and move the request to the next FY28 CIP (which would delay reopening substantially), reallocate from another approved CIP project (logistical and political complications), or cancel the project entirely (staff strongly advised against cancellation). Staff said pausing is feasible but from their perspective would cause lengthy service interruptions for the Riverton neighborhood.
The committee asked staff to present reallocation candidates and bond figures for a potential vote in coming meetings and to prepare required public hearing notices.
