Inside Hermiston Newsletter

JULY 2026

Let's Talk Aquatics

For years, Hermiston residents have consistently said a year-round place to swim and recreate is one of their top priorities. An indoor Health, Aquatics and Wellness Center would fulfill that vision by offering recreation, fitness and wellness opportunities for people of all ages and abilities throughout the year.

This isn't a new idea. In fact, it’s been part of Hermiston's long-term vision for nearly a decade.

During the City's 2016 Livable Hermiston visioning process, more than 2,200 residents participated in surveys, interviews, public meetings and focus groups to help shape our community's future. One of the strongest themes to emerge was the need for an indoor aquatics and recreation facility. That priority has continued to be reinforced through subsequent planning efforts, including City Council goals, a professional feasibility and programming study, and the City's Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Plan. In that plan, indoor aquatics was identified as the community's top recreation priority, with 60% of survey respondents ranking it as their number one need.

That’s why we're taking the next step this summer.

The City has partnered with Umatilla County, neighboring communities, schools, healthcare providers and other organizations to explore the feasibility of developing a regional Health, Aquatics and Wellness Center. Since September 2024, a task force has been evaluating community needs, looking at successful facilities around the region, identifying potential locations in Hermiston and exploring funding models to support a local facility long term. Our goal is to determine how to create a facility that is both financially sustainable and designed to serve our growing region for decades to come.

As we move forward, we want to hear your voice. The next phase of planning focuses on community feedback. We're asking residents to complete several brief online surveys about the amenities you'd like to see, membership and pricing options and your overall thoughts on the project so far. Your input will help shape the recommendations the task force brings forward.

This project has always been driven by the community. Now is your opportunity to help define what it becomes.

Please take a few minutes to complete the surveys at www.hermiston.gov/aquatic-center. Together, we can build a facility that promotes health, recreation, and community for generations to come.

Byron Smith,

Hermiston City Manager

Read the full July 2026 newsletter here.

Inside Hermiston is the monthly email newsletter for the City of Hermiston, including city news, council reports, and upcoming community events. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox.

Previous Editions

Click the links below to view past editions of the Hermiston Insider, the City of Hermiston's monthly newsletter.

2026

January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026

2025