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City staff detail major corrosion, truss and column repairs at Woodburn community center project
Summary
City staff told the Woodburn City Council that demolition uncovered severe corrosion in the existing natatorium and damaged truss anchors and steel columns; the work will be covered from dedicated project funds and contingency while staff complete final designs and seek small grant offsets.
City staff gave the council a detailed construction update on the new Woodburn community center, saying demolition and investigative work revealed substantial, previously hidden structural damage in the existing natatorium and connecting elements. The presentation described rusted metal studs behind plaster, corroded truss anchors, and steel columns with significant section loss; staff said contractors are installing aggregate piers, replacing damaged anchors and columns, and are shifting the building’s thermal envelope to the exterior to reduce future corrosion risks.
"Some of these piers are up to 30 feet deep," the project presenter said, describing the underpinning used to stabilize foundation soils and support new joists. He showed photos of steel studs eaten by chlorinated pool moisture and explained that the team plans to remove interior plaster and studs, install an exterior vapor barrier and insulation, then apply metal cladding to extend the life of the building. The presenter also described truss‑anchor replacement strategies, including epoxy and larger anchors, and showed temporary shoring where columns had lost capacity.
Staff emphasized the repairs were discovered only after partial demolition and investigative cutting, and that the CMU block walls themselves remain largely sound; the problem is the connections, coatings and interior materials that were exposed to a corrosive pool environment over decades. They told the council the project remains funded through dedicated construction funding and contingency and that they are pursuing modest grants (for example, an Energy Trust of Oregon efficiency incentive) to offset some exterior work. Staff estimated additional exterior replacement work could add about $400,000 but said the current contingency and bid climate are keeping the project on track.
The presentation concluded with a timeline update and assurance that construction will continue while additional design work is finalized. City Manager Scott Merrick said the construction work is fully funded and that staff will continue routine updates to the council as final designs and estimates are completed.
