Press Release: Oakridge’s Willamette Activity Center to Become Resilience Hub with $3.2 Million in New Funding

The following is a direct republishing of a press release from Sarah Altemus-Pope and August Reed of South Willamette Solutions

OAKRIDGE, OR – The City of Oakridge will receive $3.2 million to renovate the Willamette Activity Center (WAC), a crucial community center that has served Oakridge since 1980. This includes a $2.7 million grant awarded to Lane County from the EPA Community Change Fund and $500,000 in Congressional Community Projects Funding secured by Representative Val Hoyle. These awards build upon the initial $1.5 million funding from the Oregon State Legislature in 2022, which focused on roof repairs.

The City of Oakridge will oversee the renovation, which will transform the WAC into a community resilience hub. The project will create a turnkey emergency shelter and Emergency Operations Center (EOC), while also serving as a center for everyday community services. Planned improvements include:

– Upgrading the gym, kitchen, showers, and bathrooms

– Redesigning and replacing the roof to prevent water damage

– Installing critical electrical upgrades and energy-efficient lighting

– Ensuring ADA accessibility and implementing seismic upgrades

– Installing a backup generator for the gym and Emergency Operations Center

The project is the result of collaborative efforts led by the South Willamette Solutions (SWS) WAC funding group, chaired by Mayor Cutchen. This group has been working since 2022 to leverage the $1.5 million state grant to secure additional funding for significant WAC repair needs. The EPA proposal was developed by the Lane County policy team, with support from the funding group, Wilson Architecture and the City Administrator.

The renovation plans were informed by a community survey conducted in July 2023 by the City Council’s WAC committee, with support from SWS. The survey of 442 residents identified top priorities as: Community/Social Activities (79%), Emergency/Disaster Response (76%), Human/Social Care (73%), and Health/Medical Care (72%).

“A huge win for Oakridge and other Lane County communities,” said Food Box director Bev McCully, referring to the Community Change award. “This grant will accomplish the top priorities the community identified in the survey.” McCully volunteers with both the WAC Funding Group and City Council WAC Committee.

Construction is set to begin in 2025, with Phase 1 roof upgrades completed that year and Phase 2 resilience hub upgrades finished in 2026. The Funding Group will continue to work on grants to fund Phase 3 for exterior improvements and upgrades for the three remaining portals.

The renovated WAC is expected to bring transformative change to Oakridge by improving access to community services, healthcare, and government resources. It will significantly enhance the community’s emergency preparedness and ensure year-round access to essential services for this rural area.

For more information about the WAC renovation project or to volunteer, please visit https://www.ci.oakridge.or.us/community/page/willamette-activity-center or contact Sarah Altemus-Pope at 541-782-3422.