Nick Bjork//May 17, 2010//
The city of West Linn has put out a request for proposals for consulting firms to put together a conceptual design and operation plan for a new public aquatic center. The pool facility would be located next to City Hall on a seven-acre tract of land off of Parker Road.
Ken Worcester, parks and recreation director for West Linn, said the city is looking for a team with expertise in aquatic facilities, aquatic programming, LEED design and public projects.
The aquatic facility will be built in conjunction with a new police station on the property, but the projects will be designed separately.
“An aquatic center has been a part of our last several park master plans, Worcester said. “We are hoping to build a facility that is cost neutral so we can mark the project off our list without having it be a large burden on the city fund and taxpayers.”
City staff originally proposed the aquatic facility under a 2004 ballot measure that was narrowly supported by the public. A 35,000-square-foot facility was estimated to cost $12 million at that time. Part of the RFP asks the consulting firm to update project and operation costs.
In order for the project to go through, voters must approve an annexation of the Parker Road property to the city. They must also approve the city taking on the debt to finance the project. Residents would have to pay $60 annually for every $200,000 in assessed property value over 20 years.
Proposals for the project are due to the Parks & Recreation Department by June 9.