What is the MHCC Aquatic Center and who does it serve?

· Completed in 1976, it is the largest competition facility in Oregon

· The program is the largest provider of swim lessons and water exercise classes in East County, serving community members from the ages of 8 months through seniors

· MHCC students benefit from college-credit courses in swimming, fitness swimming, water exercise and water safety, as well as the opportunity to cross-train in the water as a beneficial supplement to their primary sport

· The facility is home to several club teams and fitness organizations from around the Portland Metro area, attracting athletes to our facility from many different aquatic sports

As we embark on a new era, decisions made today will shape the future of this invaluable resource. Supporting the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center will allow for the expansion of the use of the existing 50-meter pool and, by extension, provide more access to the indoor pools for our community.

To achieve this, we need you! Your contribution to this local favorite will help build a state-of-the-art retractable roof system for the 50-meter Olympic-sized pool, ensuring year-round functionality regardless of weather conditions. Here’s why we think this is so important:

· Support for local business: A retractable cover preserves one of East Multnomah County’s key economic attractions, drawing local, regional, and national events in swimming, water polo and artistic swimming. This project directly supports communities and small businesses by increasing tourism. With a new retractable roof these economic benefits could be realized year-round.

· Increasing community access to aquatics: With the closing of other pools in our region, such as the community pool in Sandy, it is important to maintain access to a facility that provides recreational swimming and water safety opportunities to our community.

In addition to the retractable roof structure, what programs will your donations support?

· The Swim Lesson Inclusion Promise Program scholarship. The MHCC Aquatic Center serves as a primary location for swim lessons for East Multnomah County and is often the place where many of our community members have learned to swim. These scholarships enable more of our community members to participate in swim lessons, expanding the reach of these life-saving skills.

· Training outstanding staff for the swim lesson program. The facility’s knowledgeable staff, variety of pools and comprehensive programming provide a critical location for many community members to have their first safe aquatic experiences. Learning to swim provides a lifetime of benefits that extend well beyond the pool deck.

· Realizing facility enhancements that allow the center to maintain excellence in operations.

· Continuing to offer over 100 hours per week of lap swim and open recreation opportunities between the three larger pools

· Providing MHCC students and community members with outstanding aquatic resources for classes and events

· Develop innovative programming for water safety, inclusive access and unique recreational pursuits, partnering with local and regional agencies

Join us in building a legacy, ensuring that the MHCC Aquatic Center remains a beacon of health, wellness, and community engagement for years to come. Together, we can make this vision a reality.

Every donation counts and is tax-deductible to the extent of the law through the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation. Please consider including the Aquatic Center in your planned giving through wills and bequests. If you have designated the Aquatic Center as a recipient of your generosity and planned giving, please let us know at 503-491-7142.