Portland Will Demolish Historic Columbia Pool by 2027
The city plans to raze the aging North Portland facility to make room for a new aquatic center construction project.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Swimming
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Portland Parks & Recreation will begin demolition of the historic Columbia Pool in late 2026. This move follows the permanent closure of the facility in 2022 due to significant structural safety hazards.
Why it matters
The demolition serves as a necessary step to address city infrastructure challenges while paving the way for a modern replacement. Mayor Keith Wilson previously paused the project in March 2025 to evaluate the feasibility of potential site renovations.
A feasibility study conducted by Convergence Architecture deemed the site renovation financially unviable. The city currently faces a $759 million maintenance backlog across aging municipal assets.
The players
Portland Parks & Recreation
This is the city department responsible for managing and maintaining the public park and recreational facilities in Portland.
Keith Wilson
Keith Wilson is the Mayor of Portland who intervened in the demolition schedule to re-evaluate the status of the pool.
Convergence Architecture
This is the architectural firm that performed the feasibility study regarding the structural integrity and renovation potential of the pool site.
The details
The facility, which first opened in 1930, suffered from irreparable structural issues including severe roof degradation that necessitated its 2022 closure. While city officials initially explored options to save the historic site, the lack of sufficient funding led to the decision to move forward with site demolition and future redevelopment.
Timeline
Columbia Pool first opened its doors to the public in 1930.
The facility closed permanently in 2022 due to safety concerns.
Mayor Keith Wilson paused the demolition plan in March 2025.
City officials have scheduled the site demolition for late 2026.
Construction on the new aquatic center is slated to begin in 2027.
Season Trajectory
The demolition of the Columbia Pool marks a significant shift in the city's approach to its $759 million maintenance backlog. This decision follows the trend of retiring aging infrastructure to prioritize funding for newer, compliant facilities over the next 15 years.
Residents in North Portland will see the permanent removal of a local landmark by late 2026, marking the end of a nine-decade service period. The shift initiates a transition toward the development of the new aquatic center, with construction slated to begin in 2027.
The takeaway
The closure of long-standing public assets often highlights the tension between preserving historical community sites and managing limited municipal budgets. Residents should monitor city planning updates to prepare for the transition to modern recreation facilities in the coming years.
What happens next
The city has set a definitive timeline to begin the demolition of the site in late 2026, followed by the commencement of construction for the new aquatic center in 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the city's aquatic facility plans, visit the Swimming section.
More information
View the official Columbia Indoor Pool FAQ to learn more about the project.
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize restoring historic community facilities over building new modern replacements?
