3 bids in running for Oregon’s recreation complex

Concession stand, shelter, modern restrooms to replace portable toilets

The proposed restroom/concessions facility would replace portable toilets at the Oregon athletic complex. This proposal was submitted by A. A. Boos and Sons Inc., one of three companies in the running along with Rudolph/Libbe Inc. and Mosser Construction Inc.

HANDOUT NOT BLADE PHOTO

The proposed restroom/concessions facility would replace portable toilets at the Oregon athletic complex. This proposal was submitted by A. A. Boos and Sons Inc., one of three companies in the running along with Rudolph/Libbe Inc. and Mosser Construction Inc.

Next year, Oregon is expected to have a new amenity in its south recreation complex: bathrooms.

City Council is studying three proposals for a facility that will include restrooms, ​concession stand, and ​open-air shelter for the athletic fields off the Starr Avenue Extension, behind the municipal building. It plans to select a plan next month.

Money has been set aside in the city’s 2013 capital budget, and officials are eager to proceed with the project, which they want to be a showcase of sorts for the city.

“We feel good taking care of our residents this way,” Mike Beazley, the municipal administrator, said at council's committee of the whole meeting last week. “It’s an investment in our community.”

The new restrooms would mean that the thousands of people who use the fields each year as players or spectators won’t have to use the primitive portable toilets that have been a source of complaints and comments to city officials over the years.

“We have them serviced twice a week, but no matter how you doctor it up, there's nothing glamorous about a Porta Potty,” said Joe Wasserman, Oregon’s parks and recreation director. He said the 10 soccer fields alone can attract 1,000 people to Saturday matches during the season.

The facility will have a men’s and women’s room, each 165 square feet. The men's room will have three lavatories, two commodes, and three urinals; the women’s room will have the same number of sinks but five toilets. Drinking fountains are to be at the entrance to each.

The restrooms will be part of a building with a concession area equipped for making popcorn, pizza, coffee and hot chocolate, and nachos and containing a beverage cooler, slush and ice machines, and a work area.

The proposed facility will have a men's and women's restrooms with drinking fountains at each entrance.

The structure will have 1,600 square feet of floor space and be situated at the soccer complex. There also will be an open-air shelter area where people can take cover from sun or rain.

The three proposals under consideration are by A. A. Boos and Sons Inc., Rudolph/​Libbe Inc., and Mosser Construction Inc. A.A. Boos' price is lowest, at $414,000. Rudolph/​Libbe’s cost is $540,000, and Mosser’s $616,000.

Mr. Beazley and Paul Roman, Oregon’s service director, said the companies were stand-up firms that would do a good job. Their prices include the cost of running sewer, water, and electrical service to the building. Officials said project selection would be based on what was deemed best for Oregon, not necessarily price.

Mr. Roman said November would be the earliest the project could be done, but advised against rushing since the building would be closed over winter. March was a more prudent target date, he added.

Council members plan to get input from the city's recreation advisory board and discuss the selection at the July 1 committee of the whole meeting. Councilman Terry Reeves, who chairs council’s parks and recreation committee, has scheduled a 7 p.m. meeting of his panel, an hour before the committee of the whole meeting.