Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few common questions we’ve received about Osborn Aquatic Center during this unexpected closure and the financial planning efforts for facility repairs.
Responses to these questions have been provided by City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation staff in coordination with the Corvallis School District. Community partners, including Friends of Corvallis Parks & Recreation and Voices for Osborn, are helping share this information but are not authorized to speak on behalf of the City or School District.
Who owns the Osborn Aquatic Center?
Osborn Aquatic Center is owned by the Corvallis School District. The City of Corvallis operates and manages the facility through its Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments. Both entities are key partners in the facility’s operation and future improvements.
Why are the indoor pools closed?
Corrosion was discovered in late September 2024 during a planned maintenance closure of the Aquatic Center. While replacing light fixtures approximately 30 feet above the pool, City maintenance staff observed several areas of corrosion. Out of an abundance of caution, the facility was closed to ensure public safety while the City engaged a structural engineer to conduct further evaluation.
How much will the repairs cost?
A preliminary structural engineering report completed in 2024 provided an initial understanding of the scope and cost of repairs. A follow-up report, Roof Replacement Manual Scope of Work Recommendations, offers more detailed findings.
In addition, the Corvallis School District released a comprehensive Facility Condition Assessment in September 2025 outlining broader repair needs beyond the roof. The report identifies four priority levels:
- Priority 1: Immediate Requirements (Before Reopening) – $5,898,164
- Priority 2: Short-Term (Within 10 Years) – $3,192,014
- Priority 3: Long-Term (10–20 Years) – $10,650,068
- Priority 4: Long-Term (Beyond 20 Years) – $4,380,348
Community members are encouraged to review the full report on the School District’s website for additional detail.
How much funding has been secured for Priority 1 repairs?
As of February 2026, approximately $5,175,902 has been secured toward Priority 1 repairs through a collaborative funding effort:
- State Legislative Funding (secured with support from Senator Sara Gelser Blouin and House Representative Sarah Finger McDonald): $4,045,902 million
- City of Corvallis: $500,000
- Corvallis School District (advance on maintenance payments): $500,000
- Benton County: $100,000
- Corvallis Aquatic Team: $30,000
While the facility condition report identifies a broader set of Priority 1 needs, the initial phase of repairs will be scoped to align with currently available funding. This phase will focus on the critical improvements necessary to safely reopen the indoor natatorium, primarily addressing the roof structure and the 50-meter pool liner, along with associated repairs.
Additional funding will be needed to address the remaining Priority 1 items, as well as the mid- and long-term facility needs as identified in the facility conditions report.
When will State funding be available and how does that affect the project timeline?
The State has allocated approximately $4,045,902 toward Priority 1 repairs at Osborn Aquatic Center. These funds are expected to be made available following the State’s bond issuance, which is currently anticipated in March 2027. From that point, the Corvallis School District will have 36 months to expend the funds.
Importantly, this timeline does not delay progress on the project. The School District has established a plan that allows project costs to be incurred in advance of receiving State funds, ensuring that repair work can move forward as quickly as possible. This approach helps maintain momentum toward reopening the facility while aligning with State funding requirements.
Does the City’s Livability Levy pay for the Aquatic Center?
Yes, the Aquatic Center is partially funded through the City’s voter-approved Livability Levy, most recently renewed in November 2023. However, levy funds are intended to support operations – such as staffing, programming, and supplies – not large, unexpected capital repairs like the roof replacement.
With the facility partially closed, how have levy funds been used?
Levy funding supports the whole Parks & Recreation system. While the Aquatic Center has had reduced operating costs during the closure, it continues to incur expenses related to limited programming, staffing, maintenance, and structural shoring. Remaining funds are allocated across all City recreation and parks services.
Wasn’t the roof replaced recently? Why wasn’t this discovered earlier?
The exterior roof was replaced in 2023. However, the corrosion was found in the space between the roof and the ceiling – like an attic – which is largely inaccessible. Because the ceiling is approximately 30 feet above the pool deck, routine visual inspections are difficult. The corrosion was only visible when staff accessed the area using hydraulic lifts for maintenance work.
When will the indoor natatorium fully reopen?
Osborn Aquatic Center resumed limited operations in February 2025, including outdoor swim practice and lap swimming. Additional programs – such as swim lessons and exercise classes – were added in Spring 2025, with open recreation swim returning in June for the summer months.
The Corvallis School District is targeting early Fall 2026 for the start of construction. A finalized construction timeline and impacts to facility access will be determined once a contractor is selected, anticipated in June 2026, at which time a construction schedule will be developed, including an estimated date for a full re-opening.
What is the long-term plan for Osborn Aquatic Center, and how are the City and School District working together moving forward?
Osborn Aquatic Center is a valued community asset, and both the City of Corvallis and the Corvallis School District are committed to its future.
The current focus is on completing the critical repairs needed to safely reopen the indoor natatorium, restoring access to swim lessons, recreation, and competitive programs that serve the community.
At the same time, both partners recognize that reopening is just the first step. The City and School District are engaged in ongoing discussions about long-term sustainability, including future capital needs, operational funding, and updates to the existing operating agreement to better reflect today’s needs.
These conversations are complex and require thoughtful consideration of financial and operational realities. Both parties remain committed to meeting community expectations and using the professional assessments as a foundation for a sustainable, long-term solution.
Community and donor support play a vital role in this effort. Contributions made now are directly supporting the work needed to reopen the facility and restore services to the community. As we move forward, there will be additional opportunities for community input and engagement in shaping the Aquatic Center’s long-term future.
We are grateful for the community’s continued support and will provide updates as planning progresses.