HERMISTON, Ore.-The Hermiston City Council passed a resolution to move forward with planning and studying the feasibility of the proposed Health, Aquatics and Wellness Center (HAWC) at its regular meeting on October 26th.
City Council heard a presentation on the proposed project from Cassie Hibbert and Heath Gardner, with the Wenaha Group, that included updates from a series of surveys taken by Hermiston residents over the summer.
Feedback received through the surveys concerned what amenities residents want to see included in the facility, what programs they are likely to participate in, pricing, and what benefits the aquatic center should bring to the community.
According to Hibbert, 611 completed surveys were submitted, showing that 80% of respondents were “very supportive” of the aquatic center, with another 10% “somewhat supportive.”
The proposed HAWC would be at the site of the current Hermiston Family Aquatic Center would provide year-round opportunities for fitness, recreation, and aquatics for all ages and abilities, as well as community programs and wellness services.
The total estimated cost of the project would be $59-$63 million, including renovation and construction.
“These estimates are inclusive of construction costs, your development or your soft costs, project contingency, and it also includes escalation to the midpoint of construction,” said Hibbert.
A HAWC Task Force, comprised of representatives from local governments, counties, educational institutions, utility providers, the Port District, and potential partners from both the public and private sectors, has been meeting since 2024 to consider feasibility, funding, operations and more for the proposed aquatic center.
Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith updated City Council on how partnerships for the HAWC project have been developing.
“One of those private sector potential partners is Good Shepherd Health Care System and those discussions have been moving along,” said Smith. “In fact, later this week I’ll be presenting at the Good Shepherd Board of Directors meeting to talk more with them about what that partnership would look like.”
Following the updates on the HAWC project, City Council discussed other options that could possibly be pursued, such as a bubble or dome over the existing pool, whether the majority of the community truly is in favor of the project, and the estimated cost.
City Council ultimately passed Resolution 2447: Validation of the Aquatic Center Project by a 7-1 vote.
“Moving forward, I think what we need to do is at least get all the information we need to make a completely full and informed decision,” said Hermiston Mayor Doug Primmer, explaining that the kids, grandchildren, and stakeholders who will be paying for the project in the future deserve that.
The resolution allows City Council to continue gathering information on the feasibility of the aquatic center and to move on to the next steps of the HAWC project.
The next step will be a public hearing, possibly during a November City Council meeting, on the use of the Progressive Design-Build Delivery method (where the contractor and designer work as a single entity) for the HAWC project.
November Hermiston City Council meetings are scheduled for the 9th and 23rd.
The agenda packet for the October 26th City Council meeting is available online. The meeting may also be viewed on YouTube.
