Center of Attention: Southwest Community Center Portland Parks and Recreation Portland, Oregon.

Portland's new Southwest Community Center provides an aquatics center complemented by a mix of other recreational facilities and programs. The center appeals to a wide range of age groups. An interactive public process was critical to the building's siting, programming and design. The design team focused on the notion that community must be central to the new facility. The building's architecture, landscape and artwork create links to the existing neighborhood and its natural environment.

On any given day, there are several hundred people of all ages inside Portland's new Southwest Community Center--and that number increases dramatically during the summer, after school is out. Children splash in the leisure pool and shoot down the water slide next to parents and grandparents exercising in the adjacent lap pool. Athletes of all ages and both genders work out in the nearby fitness room. The mirrored exercise studio hosts classes ranging from the Silver Streaks for seniors to Mind Body Movement for children, Girlfriends for teens, and Aerokibo for adults. In the gym, basketball enthusiasts shoot hoops at goals that are adjustable to accommodate all ages and heights.

All this in a building that some people felt might never be built given its controversial siting process, and others predicted would never become a true center for its community.

Because it was one of the first building projects undertaken by Portland Parks and Recreation Department in the last 40 years, the goals for the new Southwest Community Center were high. Funding for design and construction of the 49,000-square-foot facility was part of the $58.8 million parks bond passed in 1994, the first such citywide funding measure since 1938. In addition to serving the recreational needs of the Southwest neighborhood community, the new building was to set a standard for design excellence and reinforce voter approval of future bond levies.

A Community Center, or a Community Divided?

"You can't change without making somebody angry." Charlie Hales, City of Portland Parks Commissioner

Disagreements over land use are not uncommon, especially when siting a new building in an established suburban neighborhood. The siting process for the Southwest Community Center was particularly controversial. The entire four year process of site selection, design and construction was open to the public with participation solicited and encouraged in a variety of ways.

An appointed Citizen's Task Force was the primary vehicle for public participation. The 14-member task force included people who represented diverse backgrounds, ages and perspectives from all areas within the southwest neighborhood. They were charged with the task of recommending a site for the new community center, as well as providing recommendations on facility programs and design.

To determine the potential sites, Portland Parks and Recreation used a formula based on input from the Citizens Task Force, design team, the public, public agencies and various city bureaus, and data related to traffic, parking, and other criteria. After exploring 28 possible locations, the debate was narrowed down to three finalists, and finally a recommendation was made to site the new center in Gabriel Park, an existing 90-acre park that is the crown jewel of Portland Park and Recreation's Southwest parks system.

While some neighbors supported what they considered to be a more central location, others opposed the Gabriel Park site because they did not want the ambiance of the cherished park changed or to lose any green spaces. Portland Parks and Recreation pointed out that, since the Gabriel Park site was already owned by Parks, all of the bond money could be put into developing the facility itself, rather than into purchasing other land. In addition, the Gabriel Park location was already perceived within the community as a recreation destination. Design and programmatic connections could be made between the new building and the park's existing amenities--a children's playground, ball fields, trails, and Fanno Creek which meanders through the park.

Integration Into the Neighborhood

To respond to continued concerns about the potential impact to Gabriel Park, the architect and landscape architect worked in collaboration to integrate design of the building and its parking with the surrounding neighborhood and the existing site. While in original discussions the new development was projected to require five acres of land, by keeping the building footprint and parking lot as compact as possible, the project used less than three acres at the corner of the 90-acre park.

Involving the public in the design process was critical to the project's success. Portland Parks and Recreation and the design team held a series of public forums, conducted public opinion polls, and provided regular updates to media and citizens throughout the siting, programming and design process. At one public meeting, six booths were set up to represent different facets of the project's design and development, from architecture and landscape to transportation issues and integration of art. Each booth had representatives to answer questions and gain input from the public. Over 300 people turned out for this successful and interactive event.

"Above all, we wanted the center to reflect its environment and reinforce the Gabriel Park neighborhood's strong sense of community," said BOORA Architects' Stan Boles, principal-in-charge of the project. "The building's open, transparent design, its materials, and its relationship to its natural setting are each an expression of that desire to make the center accessible to, and reflective of this particular community."

The design team employed several different measures to strengthen this community approach. The building nestles into its surrounding rolling hills and there was a concentrated effort to preserve existing trees on the site. Both building design and landscape improvements responded to the topography of the park, creating a fluid flow of indoor and outdoor spaces. The common use of natural materials such as wood and slate helps blur the distinction between these areas. Intimate outdoor spaces of varying character extend out of the center's indoor areas to further reinforce this connection. Site improvements were also made throughout the park, with upgrades to the trail system, renovation of three ballfields, a new play area and two new wooden bridges.

Buff-colored concrete block, steel, flat roofs and glazing elements define the street or "urban" side of the building, creating a gateway both for the project and for the park. In contrast, the park side of the center recalls the farm buildings of Gabriel Park's agrarian past with wood structures, cedar siding and large dormer porches opening up to the park beyond. These contrasting architectural treatments also help break down the scale of the building.

To assist in fostering a special sense of place, artists were included early on as part of the design team. Fernanda D'Agostino and Valerie Otani, both long-time members of the southwest community neighborhood, developed an artwork theme called the "Stream of Life." This metaphor for the flow of human communities past, present and future links the new center with the established neighborhood and its natural environment.

From the moving water at the entry plaza to the glass panels on the front of the reception desk to the series of wall sculptures documenting life in the park, art is integral to the whole project. Fused glass tiles, made from art submitted by 450 children from nearby schools and based on Gabriel Park nature studies, are included in the pool and locker room area.

The design team's focus on creating a facility that truly serves the needs of its community was successful in the eyes of the majority of its constituents when it opened in June 1999. Many early visitors quickly labeled it beautiful and were eager to start using the center. In its first year of operation, the facility had an attendance of over 399,000, hosted 1,120 parties serving 16,675 people, enjoyed 80% cost recovery, and awarded close to $39,000 in scholarships to low income residents who would not otherwise be able to use the center. The facilities' current staff even includes some of the neighborhood people who were initially against the Gabriel Park location.

Center's Components Work Together for Success

"We feel very good about the wide range of age groups that use the center on a regular basis. On a typical day we see a full range from preschoolers, moms and dads, and senior citizens to middle school students hanging out in the lobby and using the facility." -- Doug Brenner, Southwest Community Center Director and Aquatics Program Director, Portland Parks & Recreation

A quick tour of the center upholds the premise that today's community center must provide more than just a swimming pool to be successful. The Entrance Plaza and Lobby areas set a warm and gracious tone, providing comfortable furnishings and places to stop for a rest, wait for a ride, or visit with friends.

Funded by the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Watershed Resource Room is a unique feature of the Southwest Community Center. Located in the lobby, this room houses a resource library for information and materials on area watersheds, including Fanno Creek. Related classes and activities, such as stream walks, are offered here and watershed volunteer groups, such as the Friends of Fanno Creek, use the space for meetings.

The Aquatics Center features three bodies of water with different temperatures, depths, water movement, and levels of activity. A 25-yard six-lane lap pool complete with a rope swing includes a lift feature that makes it accessible to everyone. The leisure pool has a zero-depth entry and goes to a depth of 4.5 feet. The 120-foot long, 17-foot high water slide with a separate splash-down area is the central feature of the leisure pool, accented with water geysers and Gadgets and Gizmos Water Play structures. The 12-person spa is fully accessible and is oriented to a great view of the park's rolling hills.

Additional recreational facilities include the Gym, with its rubberized subfloor and hardwood floor donated by Nike; the Exercise Studio with mirrored walls, natural light and a 1,600-square-foot floating wood floor providing space for a wide variety of programming; and the Fitness Room with free weights, the latest in biomechanically correct selectorized weight training machines, and a variety of cardio equipment.

Support spaces include Kids Central for childcare; the Multi-Purpose Room which accommodates approximately 100 people and is wired for all the electronics needed for today's business meetings; and Poolside Rooms. Popular for birthday parties, the Poolside Rooms are flexible classrooms that can be used together or divided into two smaller spaces. Each has a sink and direct access out to the pool deck. As with most of the center's spaces, these rooms are available for rental or parties.

A Model for Environmental Sustainability

Given its location in one of Portland's largest green spaces, integration with the site's natural processes and conservation of natural resources were highly visible elements in the center's design. Because all stormwater runoff eventually finds its way to the adjacent creek, Walker Macy designed an innovative stormwater treatment system to recreate natural filtration processes to help keep Fanno Creek and its surrounding watershed clean. Rainwater falling on the parking lot flows through slotted curbs into bioswales. These wide shallow ditches, located in the center of the parking lot and between the parking lot and the new building, are planted with vegetation to catch and filter the water that runs off of the roof and hardscapes. Both the basins and a series of foundation drains empty into a large detention pond where the fluctuation of water levels can be viewed against concrete walls.

Once the stormwater reaches the basin, it progresses through a series of walled cells filled with plant materials that provide natural filtration. After being detained until it is clean enough to return to nearby Fanno Creek, the treated water drains to a tributary feeding into the creek. The Watershed Resource Room provides information about the watershed and highlights the new development's unique approach to stormwater management.

The entry plaza's water feature is designed to replicate a natural stream, providing a playful and welcoming entry sequence for visitors. While the water feature is recirculating and self-contained, it appears to empty into the basin. This visual connection provides a compelling reminder of the natural processes that have been recreated through the site's stormwater treatment system.

Conservation of natural resources is an important element reflected throughout the center's design. Construction of the center employed the following recycled materials:

* The fitness room floor surface is composed of recycled tennis shoes from Nike.

* The locker room and toilet room partitions are a recycled plastic material.

* The plywood wall sheathing behind the gypsum board is a recycled wafer board. * The artist-made tiles in the natatorium and locker rooms are recycled glass.

In addition, the construction specification required construction materials be separated throughout construction for recycling. Natural daylighting, occupancy sensors for lighting, heat recovery and energy efficient systems are also in place throughout the building. Because a strong effort was made during design to analyze the building's energy efficiency, the design exceeded the City of Portland Energy code requirements, and was recently awarded a Green Building designation from Portland General Electric's Earthsmart program.

Conceived in controversy and designed through a collaborative process, Portland's new Southwest Community Center is an exemplary resource that has ultimately helped to build a stronger sense of community through recreation.

FACT SHEET

Southwest Community Center
Portland Parks and Recreation
Portland, Oregon

What:    The 48,852-square-foot Southwest Community Center is
         located on a three-acre site in Gabriel Park, a 90-acre
         park distinctive for its rolling hills and forest
         preserves, The $10.1 million center includes a leisure
         pool, lap pool, spa, basketball courts, fitness and
         aerobic rooms, and meeting rooms.

Where:   The Southwest Community Center is located at 6820 SE 45th
         Avenue in Gabriel Park, Portland, Oregon.

When:    The grand opening for the center was June 19, 1999.

Who:     Client:                   Portland Parks and Recreation
                                   District

                                   Architectural Supervisor:
                                   Zari Santner, [phone]

                                   Director of Southwest Community
                                   Center:
                                   Doug Brenner, [phone]

         Architect:                BOORA Architects, Portland, OR
         Landscape Architect:      Walker Macy, Portland, OR
         Aquatic Engineer:         Water Technology, Inc., Beaver
                                   Dam, WI
         Programming/Operations:   The Sports Management Group,
                                   Oakland, CA
         Artists:                  Valerie Otani and Fernanda
                                   D'Agostino, Portland, OR

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TIPS

Appoint a Citizens Task Force to represent the public and to advise throughout the siting, programming and design process. Include a diversity of ages and interests that include both active and passive recreation. Make sure task force meetings are open and welcoming to the public.

Hold a series of public forums to discuss ideas and explore options. Advertise meetings well through newspapers and flyers. Make meeting conclusions and key decisions available for public review via newsletters.

Conduct public opinion polls by telephone and mail on topics such as siting, programming, design and fees. Distribute questionnaires after public meetings and tabulate results.

Have an open door policy with media representatives and citizens. Invite reporters to attend meetings. Provide regular updates in newsletters and newspapers. Distribute a Q&A flyer to reinforce facts and minimize rumors. Discuss the project on community access television,

Doug Macy is a landscape architect and founding partner of the Portland-based firm, Walker Macy. He has extensive experience in site planning and design for major parks and recreation facilities, and natural resource projects throughout the United States. Doug's projects demonstrate his commitment to design excellence, the preservation of sensitive environmental areas, and stewardship of the natural landscape. Throughout his 28 years of experience, he has collaborated with local, regional, state and national parks organizations to plan and implement solutions that have long-term merit and provide a quality environment for active and passive recreation. In both his professional and personal activities, Doug enjoys being outside in the natural environment. He visits parks and public open spaces throughout the nation to learn more about the physical elements of planning and design and for flyfishing, photography, and other recreational activities. Check out one of his major projects in the article, "Center of Attention: Southwest Community Center".