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Project name: Emler Swim School

Location: 9140 S.W. Hall Blvd., Beaverton

Start date: August 2021

Completion date: May 2022

Cost: not disclosed

Owner: Emler Swim School

General Contractor: Joseph Hughes Construction

Architect: Polkinghorn Group Architects, Austin, Texas

Engineer: DCI Engineers

Significance of Project and Project Description: This project was originally started in February 2020 but was abruptly shut down after demolition of the prior tenant because of COVID-19 mandates. The project was shuttered for more than 30 months while the team got back both physiologically and economically.

When the project restarted, DCI Engineers solved a strategic and potentially costly issue with supporting the 7,000-pound dehumidifier on the roof by providing a solution of amending the structure in place in lieu of tearing open half the roof.

Once work was fully under way, the project was plagued by many issues, including supply chain challenges, increased building costs and increased power needs. With combined efforts and help from PGE and Janz Construction, a project subcontractor, Joseph Hughes Construction was able to get the power supply crossings in quickly without impacting the active restaurants in the existing commercial center.

Based on demographic data, Emler Swim School felt there were not enough schools in the Portland area to serve the need for water safety and swim lessons for young children. They also cited Portland’s active outdoor community as another reason for their expansion in Oregon. This is their first of two swim schools in Oregon with 29 total centers operating in Kansas, Texas and Nevada. Joseph Hughes Construction has also started construction on the Tualatin swim school, with estimated completion in fall/winter 2023.