East Portland Community Center Family Swim Center Addition Complete Community Survey Results May, 2004 Background Funds to add an indoor family swim center at East Portland Community Center were included in the 2002 Portland Parks & Recreation levy. In April 2004, opportunities for community involvement in the planning process were advertised through community newspapers as well as a project newsletter, which was mailed to over 30,000 households in the EPCC service area. A community survey was included in the newsletter and also available on the Portland Parks & Recreation web site. Over 550 survey responses were received by the June 1 st deadline. Survey Responses 1. If you want to go swimming now, what pool(s) do you typically use? Other schools 7% Other PP&R 15% Personal 1% Other Public 1% David Douglas 7% Pools Used Montavilla 16% Private 9% North Clackamas 4% Mt. Scott 40% 2. Do you have children under age 18 in your household? If so, how old are they? Children's Ages no, 189, 34% no answer, 17, 3% Children Under 18 in the Home yes, 342, 63% Middle S 85, h l 16% Hig h School, 45, 8% Infan ts/p resc, 186, 34% Elem entary, 226, 42%
2-c. When you take your children swimming, do you join them in the water? Join in water? never, 189, 35% usually, 220, 40% rarely, 40, 7% sometimes, 96, 18% 2-d. If you don t join them in the water, what do you prefer to do while they are swimming? Preferences if not in water other, 58, 18% fitness, 68, 21% class, 39, 12% relax, 157, 49% Comments: Most people commented that if they aren t in the water with their kids, they are usually watching from the pool deck. Others liked to use the whirlpool spa.
3. What are the ages of the adults in your household? 18 35: 230 (24%) 36-60: 549 (57%) 60+: 165 (17%) 4. What do you and/or your family most like to do when you come to a swimming pool? (Please rank in order of importance, with #1 being the most important.) Priority Activities 5th priority 4th priority 3rd priority 2nd priority 1st priority 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 When asked about the most popular activities at the pool, open play swim was by far the most popular, followed by lessons and lap swimming.
5. What features are most important to you in the new pool design. (For each feature below, place an x in the appropriate box to indicate whether you think the feature is very important, somewhat important, or not important. If you aren t familiar with the feature described, check don t know. ) Important Pool Features Whirlpool Spa Diving Boards Deep Water Lap Lanes Warm water area Leisure Pool Swim Lesson Area 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Given that the most popular activities at the pool were open play swim, lessons and lap swimming, it is not surprising that the pool features most important to respondents were a swim lesson area, leisure pool, and lap lanes.
Other Amenities 6. What about other amenities? Party Rooms Senior Changing Rooms Family Changing Rooms Sunbathing Area Deck Chairs 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Comments: Other things that were important to people included: Air quality Adequate changing rooms with private spaces, family changing areas, secure lockers Adequate deck space, chairs, cubbies, etc. Availability of snacks Water toys and games Design elements including slides, current channel, etc. Sauna and whirlpool spa Several programming ideas were also suggested, including teen swim, adults only areas/times, extended hours, exercise equipment, etc. 7. Do you currently use East Portland Community Center? If not, why not? Why Respondents Don't Use EPCC Use other facilities, 89, 15% No answer, 331, 57% No programs of interest, 34, 6% Not convenient, 21, 4% Not interested, 4, 1% Other, 97, 17%
8. If you use the Center now, what activities do you participate in? (check all that apply) Respondent Activities Other Room Rentals Special Events Family Nights Youth Camp Youth Gym Youth Dance Youth sports Preschool Open Gym Martial Arts Adult Classes Senior Classes Loaves & Fishes Senior Drop-in Fitness 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 9. Do you have any thoughts about improvements that you would like to see in the current facilities? Suggestions included: expanded childcare locker room improvements programming additions/changes (including hours, classes, equipment, check-in) expanded fitness facilities (including equipment) outdoor playground and other outdoor park improvements 10. What activities would you like to be able to participate in at EPCC that aren t currently offered? By far the most suggestions related to the new pool. Other top priorities commonly mentioned included: language classes more art classes (including music, dance, theater, crafts) expanded outdoor/indoor sports (times, ages, etc.) expanded exercise/fitness classes, including yoga (times, ages, etc.) 11. Are there any other issues about the new pool or about EPCC in general that you want to be sure are addressed? Comments generally related to: parking
fee structure ventilation, chlorine accessibility of showers, pool, etc. programming (ex: water aerobics, lap swim, etc.) pool design elements public transportation options safety and cleanliness issues (one idea: offer baby swim diapers) water temperature Transportation to/from EPCC 12. How do you (or would you) usually travel to EPCC? bike, 143, 19% other, 6, 1% walk, 90, 12% bus, 25, 3% personal auto, 472, 65%