A 21st Century Community Pool for Portland
A Cherished Space for Generations
The Kiwanis Pool, located at Dougherty Field in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood, has been a beloved community asset for more than sixty years and the site of countless unforgettable memories. Portland’s only outdoor public pool, Kiwanis is an essential resource for the City's aquatics program (open swim, lessons and water aerobics), summer camps, and swim teams. It has also served as a much-needed means of escaping intensifying summer heat. In a time when nearly all pools are private, Kiwanis has been a mainstay for the many Portlanders who are unable to access alternative nearby swimming opportunities.
A 21st Century Community Pool
First opened in 1961, Kiwanis Pool has now outlasted its expected lifespan by several decades, with a number of closures for minor repairs occurring over the last few summers.
Since 2019, a vision has been prepared for a 21st century pool that appeals to a wide variety of Portlanders of all abilities and backgrounds. Through outreach to existing pool stakeholders, a conceptual plan and budget was developed by national aquatics specialist Counsilman-Hunsaker for a new aquatic facility that would allow for greater access for the Portland community. Key features include:
Increased capacity to four hundred users at one time, four times its current allowable occupancy
New focus on ADA access, with a zero-grade entry area for those with mobility challenges, including wheelchair users, and less experienced swimmers (the current pool depth starts at 4ft)
A special walking lane that will be accessible to members of the community that need a non-weight bearing activity other than swimming
Enhanced recreational features for teens and young adults, including a flume side and plunge area
Four lap swim lanes and ample instructional areas
An improved layout for community/family events such as "Flick n' Floats"
Updates to the locker room areas, including a new concession stand and a family changing room
Interactive splash features at the shallow end for younger kids
Set in the vibrant Libbytown neighborhood and in close proximity to numerous workforce housing developments, the new pool at Dougherty Field promises to be a recreational hub and community gathering space for generations to come.
You can learn more about project details and follow progress HERE.
The Importance of Private Philanthropy
The City, through its capital improvement budget and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, had allocated $6.5 million for the new pool based on an estimate from Counsilman-Hunsaker. However, a bidding process undertaken in the summer of 2024 revealed that costs would be almost double what had been budgeted. In response, several cost saving measures were made that reduced the shortfall to $5.63 million.
To salvage the project and secure ARPA funds, which must be committed before the close of 2024 or otherwise returned, the City appealed to the Portland Parks Conservancy, a longstanding partner, to help close the gap. With key leadership from prominent local philanthropists and Conservancy supporters Justin and Rachael Alfond, a private fundraising goal of $1 million was set, with a deadline of April 1, 2025.
With the private fundraising goal in place, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve an additional $4.63 million at its regular meeting on October 21, 2024 to ensure the project could move forward on time.
Looking Forward
With generous support from lead funders and donors, a new community pool will provide a vital “third space” to ensure water safety, keep Portlanders cool, enhance physical and mental health, and bring people together. If the current Kiwanis is any guide, the new facility will serve tens of thousands of community members of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in the coming decades.
If you would like to discuss a contribution to this effort, please reach out to Jack Phillips, Executive Director, at jack@portlandparksconservancy.org.