REDMOND — A potential multimillion-dollar indoor recreation center took another step forward this week, as Redmond city officials presented preliminary information to the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District.

The city is still in information-gathering mode, Redmond Community Development Director Heather Richards said Thursday, but it is starting to reach out to possible partners in the project.

“We’re doing our due diligence,” Richards said. “We’ve done a feasibility study to understand whether or not the market would support a family rec center. Now we’re looking at what kind of support we would need for operations of different programs.”

A 2012 survey conducted by the city said residents’ top recreational desire was for an indoor pool/aquatic center with a walking track and workout area. The pool area would differentiate from the Cascade Aquatic Center in that it would likely include a zero-entry pool with a sloped entryway, and slides and water play areas aimed at young families.

Richards estimated the cost of a rec center between 41,000 and 71,000 square feet would be $14 to $20 million, depending on what amenities the space included. The city has already set aside $7.5 million in urban renewal money for the project. Grants or bonds probably would pay for the remainder of costs, though Richards said, “We haven’t had that dialogue with the community yet.”

“We want to build a foundation first on whether or not the community wants (a rec center),” she added.

Yearly operational costs for such a facility would be approximately $1.5 million, Richards said.

“The city’s not interested in operating (the rec center),” Richards said. “So we’re reaching out to potential partners that would be.”

Richards said the park and recreation district is excited about the project and keen to continue talks.

“What that partnership would look like, we don’t know yet,” Richards said. “But they’re definitely interested.”

Richards emphasized the project is still in the beginning stages — she estimated a completed building is five years out, minimum — and that the city’s top priority is to make sure this is really something Redmond citizens want and would support.

“We’ve heard the community’s wants,” she said. “Now we’re bringing them more info. … We have the feasibility study, now we look at where we’d locate it, what it would look like, and who it would benefit.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7829,

beastes@bendbulletin.com