NORTH BEND — Patrons of the North Bend Municipal Pool are finding its waters to be particularly warm these days.

At a constant 84 degrees since the aquatics center underwent renovations, the pool’s temperature is just one of many improvements made during phase I of the Save Our Pool project. However, most of the work is less obvious to the casual swimmer.

“The pool stays 84 degrees. Before, we never knew what it would be,” said Aquatics Director Chris Richmond at the pool on Tuesday morning.

It used to be 82 or 83 one day and 85 the next.

“People like things to be the same all the time, especially my little old ladies,” Richmond said.

The regulated temperature will save wear and tear on the boiler.

Standing near the pool, Richmond said the project, which began more than two years ago, has brought roof repairs, a new water tank, heat exchanger and installation of natural gas.

“We got a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that we’ve done,” Richmond said. “I think it’s pretty cool. It’s been long-awaited and anticipated.”

Work still remains on the first phase, but Richmond said he expects it to be completed by Aug. 1, when crews complete remodels on the men’s and women’s changing rooms, and the building gets a new paint job.

Each piece of the project has been orchestrated to soften the impact on swimmers. For example, crews are working on spectator restrooms to create family changing rooms and make them wheelchair accessible. When those are completed, work will begin on fixing the women’s changing room. When that happens, the women will use the men’s changing room — the last to undergo renovations — and the men will use the spectator restrooms.

“Hopefully, we’ll have that all wrapped up by the time school starts,” Richmond said.

That’s when the fun starts.

Richmond said plans for phase II are being drawn up by Architect Richard Turi of Richard P. Turi Architecture & Planning in North Bend, to upgrade the lobby and atrium area of the facility and to attach a new wing to the south side of the building. It would include a therapy pool, exercise/weight room, a party room and a family changing room.  

Built in 1957, the pool has and is used by a number of groups from high school swim teams to members of the U.S. Coast Guard. But as it aged and money for maintenance decreased, the building began to fall into disrepair. Rusted out metal doors and dry-rotted eaves on the building, among other maintenance issues, plagued pool officials.

Two years ago, community members came together to find ways to repair and update the 50-year-old center pool in order to extend its life expectancy.

“It wasn’t critical but it was getting to that point,” Richmond said. “Phase I is basically doing the critical need of the building and machinery. Phase II ... will enhance the building and add a couple of services for the community.”

When all is said and done, Phase I will cost about $363,000 and Phase II is expected to need about $1 million (see story below).

North Bend Mayor Rick Wetherell said he’s pleased with the work that has been done to maintain and improve the aquatics center.

 “I think it’s just where it needs to be, (but) we have a long way to go. You can’t expect it to happen over night,” Wetherell said.

While the public can’t see the changes now, he said they soon will be enjoying the results of Save Our Pool effort.

“We just have to keep the momentum going and that’s what we are trying to do right now.”