Redmond is in the early stages of a study to determine the feasibility of building a new public pool and recreation center in the downtown core.

Heather Richards, director of community development for the city of Redmond, said recent community surveys have suggested there’s a strong interest in additional aquatic facilities. The study aims to figure out how much a new pool would cost, she said, and how many swimmers it would need to draw to be financially sustainable.

Redmond’s only public pool is the Cascade Swim Center, located north of Redmond High School and operated by the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District.

Built in 1979, the facility includes a 25-meter indoor pool and an outdoor splash park, as well as basketball courts, picnic facilities and rooms for community classes and activities.

In November 2008, the district asked voters to approve a $38.6 million bond to build a 92,000-square-foot facility that would have included 50- and 25-meter pools, two basketball courts, workout space and rooms for public meetings.

Just 31 percent of voters supported the bond, and just 20 percent voted for an accompanying levy to provide funds to operate the proposed facility for five years.

Richards said this latest proposal is much less ambitious than the one advanced by the park district in 2008.

Currently, the study is looking at a short menu of amenities, Richards said. The pool is envisioned as a “lifestyle aquatic center” as opposed to a lap pool and could include slides, a lazy river and a recreational therapy pool.

The facility could also include an outdoor walking path, a gym, weight room and other multipurpose rooms.

Richards said the city’s goal is to develop a plan for a facility that can be fully supported by user fees, much as is the case with the city’s seasonal ice rink at Centennial Park.

No site has been proposed, but Richards said the city is considering the now-vacant, former Evergreen Elementary School property, as well as several undeveloped blocks west of U.S. Highway 97.

Approximately $7 million has been banked in the city’s urban renewal fund for projects in the downtown area that could help jump-start development. The figures the city has seen thus far suggests the $7 million could cover two-thirds to three-quarters of construction costs, Richards said.

If the city elects to proceed, RAPRD could be brought into the fold to operate the facility.

Richards said the study is likely to be completed in February. The city’s Downtown Urban Renewal Advisory Committee will examine the study’s findings, she said, then make a recommendation on whether to proceed to the city council.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387, shammers@bendbulletin.com