East Portland Aquatic Center Makes a Splash

East Portland has some serious bragging rights. The new East Portland Aquatic Center is not only the largest aquatic facility in Portland; it is also expected to be the first aquatic center in the country to be certified LEED Platinum. But, above all else, it is seriously cool. The grand opening is scheduled on March 14, but we thought we'd give you a peek inside and show you why the Mill Park neighborhood is bursting with pride about its new addition.

Let's dive right into the details: The aquatic center is located in the East Portland Community Center at 740 SE 106th Avenue. There is ample parking for both cars and bikes, and the facility offers new locker rooms and five family changing rooms. You can drop in for a single visit or buy a 20-visit, 3-month or annual pass. There is even financial assistance available to those Portland residents who meet standard eligibility requirements. For more information, call 503.823.3450. Check out the programming and fee schedules in the ECC Summer Catalog.

The aquatics facility also offers pool side rooms for parties and classes. You can even rent the pool for semi-private or private events. Semi-private rentals start at $200/hour and private pool rentals start at $225/hour. 

The natatorium [dollar word for a building that houses a pool] is bright, light and spacious. It houses a warm water leisure pool, lap pool and a whirlpool spa. The big red slide—one of the most eye-catching features—is the longest ride in the Portland Parks system. As you might suspect, it's a huge hit with the kids. There's also a shark tot slide for the smaller kids. The tot slide landing area is 'roped' off for safety and there is even a blue squishy mat at the base of the slide to ensure a soft landing for tiny toes.

Big Red Slide (oh, you know you know you wanna ride it!)
is available the following times

Open Play Swim
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7-9 p.m.
Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Family Swim
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Lap Pool

The 25-yard, four lane lap pool is kept at a brisk 84 degrees. Lap swim is the most continuous pool activity—there's almost always someone kicking around in the lap pool.

The Vortex and Current Channel

These elements are simply for fun. Swimmers like to float and play around in the current, which moves along at a pretty decent clip. In the evenings, the current is dialed down and presents a unique exercise opportunity to channel walk against the current.

The Whirlpool Spa

Kept at a toasty 102 degrees, the whirlpool spa provides a great place to relax.

One of the most impressive things about this facility, in my opinion, is that it is accessible to everyone. The pools offer battery-powered lifts for the disabled and there is even a special zero depth entry into the leisure pool. This requires the use of a PVC and mesh wheelchair, designed especially for this particular use. Pretty cool, huh?

The ramp is also popular with the elderly and with moms who have small children.

The East Portland Aquatic Center was designed by SERA Architects and boasts many green features (read about those here, here and here), but according to Aquatics Coordinator Adam McGowan, some folks have mentioned the green features, but most east Portland residents are simply excited that there's a pool. Residents have waited patiently for a pool since the community center opened in 1998.

McGowan notes that the planning and construction processes were very lengthy, but were very well worth it. The feedback from residents has been incredibly positive and McGowan postulates that 75% of the people who have come in have never been in a Portland Parks Pool—maybe even to a Parks facility. He thinks this particular aquatics center has opened the Parks program to a whole new audience. "We've seen a definite increase of people coming in the door," he laughs. "It'll be interesting to see what happens when spring comes around."