Not that our community needed to be reminded, but the pandemic has shown how crucial our parks and recreation system is for our physical and mental health. We have all turned to our outdoor places and community centers since March, and we all know how important it is that we invest in our cherished spots.
Parks and Recreation have been the backdrop for much of daily life in 2020, whether connecting with loved ones in a physically distant way, keeping body and mind healthy by exercising in nature or dropping the kids off for childcare and summer camp.
In the two years since the passing of the Parks and Recreation Bond and Levy we have seen quite a few projects completed, and we’re thrilled that in the coming months our patrons will be able to see the fruits of our labor. In January, an expanded Campbell Community Center will open back up to the public, and in the early spring Echo Hollow Pool & Fitness Center will reopen with even more space for people to swim.
Then, after Echo Hollow opens, Sheldon Pool and Fitness Center will close for its renovation. By spring 2022, we will have renovated two of our City’s three pools.
Campbell Community Center
The pandemic didn’t slow down construction crews at Campbell this summer and fall. There has been steady progress through the months and we are nearing the end of the project. Soon we’ll be able to unveil all the wonderful new additions and updates that have been included.
The doubled square footage of the building will mean dedicated room for fitness classes, an updated arts room with even more space and a great hall with sweeping views of the river path and Willamette River.
Our patrons are also excited about being able to come back to Campbell. Marlene Perling, a volunteer who also takes trips with Eugene Rec, said she’s excited for Lunch Bunch to come back soon.
“It’s one of the best places for people to get to know each other and care about each other,” she says. “It’s just really good to be a part of this and see their friends and have a meal together.”
Campbell staff is also looking forward to the upgrade. They moved back into their office space even as construction continued around them. We are still encouraging at-risk populations to stay home –which includes seniors –so it will be a slow process even after reopening, but we’ve never stopped trying to keep connected with our patrons. For the last eight months staff hosted events outside and placed hundreds of phone calls to patrons.
“The Campbell Center has done so much to keep people connected,” Perling said. “The phone calls just meant the world to them. Many people were just so secluded. I was just glad they did that.
Stay tuned for more details for a more definitive date for reopening as well as a virtual walkthrough of Campbell.
Echo Hollow Pool & Fitness Center
Forgive us if we seem over the moon about the progress at Echo Hollow Pool. It seems like every week a big new feature is put in that gets us excited.
After a lengthy outreach process, the final design from Robertson Sherwood Architects unveiled a plan for increased pool space as well as more locker room space, a large lawn and a brand-new activity pool. The renderings were great to see, but not nearly as great as seeing these features become reality over the past months. Recently the water slide was installed in the activity pool, and the shells for all three pools in the facility were near completion. The plan is becoming a reality.
Renovations also included a new roof for the 50-year-old building and a forest of shiny solar array panels.
We’re still on schedule for project completion in Spring 2021.
Stay informed
Look for updates at eugparksandrec.org, follow us on social media or subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter.