Washougal hires consultant to complete community center study

A Portland architecture firm will conduct a community center needs assessment and feasibility study for Washougal.

The Washougal City Council approved the expenditure of up to $85,585 and a professional services agreement with Opsis Architecture LLP.

Six proposals were received and evaluated by a committee that included City Administrator David Scott, Public Works Director Trevor Evers, City Engineer Rob Charles, Public Works Senior Analyst Shannon Olsen and former Camas City Administrator Lloyd Halverson. The committee reviewed the qualifications of each company that submitted a proposal.

The council’s goals for this year include exploring the feasibility of and identifying funding for a community/recreation center/pool.

The assessment and study will help city leaders determine whether to proceed with planning, funding and building a community center.

Opsis will be expected to report to council in June.

The Washougal Community Center, 1681 “C” St., was built in the late 1970s, according to Mayor Sean Guard.

Councilman Paul Greenlee suggested discussions could occur about a partnership with Camas to build a pool.

Scott said informal discussions with Camas have already occurred.

Council member Michelle Wagner said an aquatic component will be expensive to build and maintain.

Scott said there could be a potential “voter ask,” to fund a community center.

Greenlee agreed.

“It’s hard to see how you build it, without a bond,” he said.

A contract to fund an analysis of the Camas municipal pool and Crown Park will be on the consent agenda during the Camas City Council’s meeting Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. The pool opened in 1954.

In 2006, Opsis did some Camas-Washougal Community Center pre-design work. The firm has also worked on the Firstenburg Community Center and the Marshall/Luepke Center, both in Vancouver, as well as the Community Recreation Center in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Ballard King & Associates Ltd. is a sub-consultant from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The recreation facility planning and operation consultants have worked on approximately 50 projects in the northwest.