Municipal Swimming Pool

The present Camas Pool in Crown Park began life as a privately-funded service project of the Camas Lions Club.

By 1947, the Lions had raised $80,000 for an indoor, year-round swimming pool. Before work could begin, the Korean War hit, and a steel shortage put the project on hold. By 1953, when the war ended, construction costs had risen to the point of devaluing the available funding. In 1954, a compromise allowed a new outdoor pool to be built.

Today the Camas pool is managed by the City of Camas and the Parks and Recreation program. The pool is visited by 13,000 swimmers each season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The rest of the year the aging outdoor pool is unused. The 53 year-old swimming complex of three pools has a 200-swimmer capacity. Swimmers of all ages use the center, moms with wading toddlers, kids, teens, families, and seniors. The quality of service resulting from the structure is diminishing. The facility’s rapid deterioration is compounded by increases in costs to maintain health and safety requirements. Despite high maintenance and a maximum depth of only 10 feet, the impoverished summer hangout still has an aggressive and popular swimming lesson program.

The current pool cannot accommodate the increasing number of private and school-based, local swim teams and interest in swim lessons and water-related activities. A new pool facility is desperately needed and will be utilized by many local residents.

Looking Forward

The Community Center Development Committee (CCDC) members hope to build a new community center and recreation pool and have made it their mission to make that dream a reality.  The new community center will be built on what is referred to as the Buhman property, which is currently owned by the City of Camas.