Osborn Aquatic Center Roof Assessment & Updates

In September 2024, routine maintenance on light fixtures at Osborn Aquatic Center revealed rust and corrosion on the steel beams that support the roof over the natatorium (which is the part of the building that houses the indoor pool, restrooms, and staff work areas).

The City of Corvallis closed the Aquatic Center on October 2, pending further technical evaluation. Since then, staff in many different City departments have been working hard to coordinate with inspectors and engineers on a plan to assess the problems at Osborn — and to assist pool patrons who were faced with the unexpected closure of a popular recreation facility.

The latest updates are posted below. Jump to the Frequently Asked Questions section to learn more about the technical assessment and repairs.

Community Updates

We are committed to keeping the community informed about the pool closure and a timeline for reopening. The latest information will be posted to this page.

December 18, 2024

Structural engineers are concluding their testing, and staff will be reviewing their initial findings in the coming weeks. Further discussions between the City of Corvallis and the Corvallis School District are likely as both organizations determine how to prioritize next steps.

With the structural testing complete and the temporary shoring supports installed throughout the interior of the natatorium, engineers and staff are exploring possibilities for short-term use of portions of the Aquatic Center, such as the outdoor pools or some interior areas. More information about the outcome and any possible short-term usage will be communicated to pool users and the general public as soon as we know more.

December 11, 2024

Structural engineers explored various locations in the ceiling to gather information about the extent of the rust and corrosion. More information is expected later this month to help leaders at the City and School District as they discuss next steps for possible repairs.

November 26, 2024 Update

With the shoring supports in place, structural engineers were able to access the ceiling and begin exploring the extent of the corrosion in the roof supports. Engineers intend to open up more than 30 identified locations on the ceiling to examine them for possible corrosion. Preliminary information is expected by the middle of December.

November 19, 2024 Update

Contractors installed floor-to-ceiling shoring supports to prepare the ceiling for a detailed examination later this month. The shoring supports were installed in main pool, which was drained earlier this month. The supports extend from the bottom of the pool up to the ceiling 30 feet above and are connected with scaffolding to create a supportive framework to brace the ceiling.

November 13, 2024 Update

City staff and contractors were busy this week delivering equipment and preparing to install shoring supports inside the natatorium. Some overhead ductwork and lighting fixtures will also need to be removed before the shoring supports can be installed.

November 4, 2024 Update

Over the weekend, City maintenance staff drained the indoor swimming pool. Emptying the pool is a necessary first step before a shoring contractor can install temporary support structures to shore up the roof of the pool. This work must be completed before additional structural testing can be performed.

October 24, 2024 Update

The City has engaged a shoring contractor to install support structures inside the natatorium to support the roof. Shoring up the roof will allow structural engineers to safely access the interior of the Aquatic Center to carry out testing and assessment of the steel roof structure.

October 2, 2024 Update

The City has closed Osborn Aquatic Center as it explores areas of rust and corrosion in the roof over the pool. Additional testing will help staff determine the extent of the corrosion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common questions we've received about Osborn Aquatic Center during this unexpected closure.

How was the corrosion discovered? 

The corrosion was discovered in late September during a planned closure of the Aquatic Center. City maintenance staff were replacing light fixtures hanging from the ceiling (about 30 feet above the pool) when they spotted several areas of corrosion. The facility was closed to ensure the safety of the public while the City made plans to engage a structural engineer to conduct additional testing. 

Wasn't the roof replaced recently? Why wasn't this discovered earlier?

The exterior envelope of the roof was replaced in 2023. The corrosion was discovered in the area between the roof and the ceiling — think of it like the attic of your home. The roof over the pool is closed off and inaccessible for the most part. And because the ceiling is located 30 feet above the ground, it's difficult to conduct visual inspections. Maintenance staff noticed small spots of rust when they were using hydraulic lifts to repair light fixtures.

How much will repairs cost?

We don't yet know the extent of the corrosion, so we don't have a good estimate on the cost of repairs. As we gather more information, we'll share information on repairs with the public so you have an idea of how it's looking. Any repairs will likely have to be fabricated out of structural steel. If the corrosion is minor, these repairs could be fabricated on-site and installed. If the corrosion is extensive, we may need to remove sections of the roof to be transported off-site for repairs and refitting, then returned to the Aquatic Center and reinstalled.

Who owns the pool?

Osborn Aquatic Center is owned by the Corvallis School District, and the City of Corvallis manages the day-to-day operations and programming through the Parks & Recreation Department. Both organizations have a stake in the future of the Aquatic Center. Decisions about repairs and associated costs will be discussed by the partner agencies (City and School District) once more information has been gathered through the technical assessment process.

Long-term plans to expand the administrative and staff areas of Osborn Aquatic Center are part of the citywide facilities strategy, which was developed a few years ago to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by aging City facilities. However, the roof issues at Osborn are new and unexpected.

Doesn't the City's Livability Levy pay for the Aquatic Center?

Yes, Osborn Aquatic Center is one of several City facilities that are funded through the five-year, voter-approved local operating levy, which was most recently renewed in November 2023. The levy funding is intended to pay for operations at the Aquatic Center (staff, programming, equipment, supplies, etc.) but not capital expenditures.

How are you handling memberships and refunds for canceled activities?

The Aquatic Center staff have placed all memberships on hold and have issued credits to all aquatic programming that was canceled due to the closure. Refunds can be requested by using this online form or calling 541-766-7946. All aquatic memberships are valid at Corvallis Community Center to attend either in-person or virtual exercise drop-in classes. There are also other local pools that offer lap swimming, aquatic exercise classes, and swimming lessons. Please contact us with any questions at 541-766-7946.

How long until Osborn can open up again?

It will take some time to gather all of the information we need to help City leaders formulate a plan for Osborn Aquatic Center. The structural assessment, which requires expert input from contractors, engineers, and City maintenance staff, is the first step in that process. The assessment is expected to begin in mid-November 2024, and we anticipate receiving more details by mid-December. As soon as we get some clarity on the timeline, we'll share that information here.