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Mount Hood Community College board and president update council on bond projects, including covered pool
Summary
Mount Hood Community College leaders told the Wood Village council they are advancing design and procurement after last year's bond, highlighting a covered pool project, roof and HVAC repairs and a general-contractor selection process that aims to prioritize local subcontractors.
Mount Hood Community College President Dr. Skari updated the Wood Village City Council on May 26 about projects funded by the college bond and other investments, saying the college is hiring design firms and preparing to select a general contractor. "We are the only education institution in the state that received the government financial officers association ... the Bridal Crown award," Dr. Skari said, framing stewardship and transparency as a central reason voters approved the bond.
Board member Andrew Spear described the bond campaign and emphasized community accountability and local contracting preferences. Spear said the bond campaign prioritized preserving existing square footage while modernizing systems and highlighted a covered pool project intended to allow year-round swim meets. "One of the big tenants of our bond campaign was community," Spear said, adding the college solicited community input on design and procurement and expects construction work later this year and into next.
Councilors asked about contractor selection and conflicts of interest. Dr. Skari said the college follows an ethics and bidding policy and noted that family businesses may participate if they do not take part in decision-making. On student affordability, Dr. Skari flagged uncertainty about proposed state changes to Oregon Promise funding and said Mount Hood serves roughly 18,000 students with strong scholarship support.
The presentation included data points the college cited as evidence of impact: an economic-impact estimate of roughly $423 million annually tied to the college and graduates, and roughly 65% of students identified as first-generation. College leaders said bond-funded work already includes roof, siding and pool foundation work, and that architects and project managers are being retained. Councilors thanked the presenters and offered to assist with legislative outreach concerning state aid.
