First constructed in 1927 as a wood-frame bathhouse for an existing outdoor pool, with additional construction completed back in the 1940s and 1950s, the Mt. Scott Community Center in Southeast Portland was decades overdue for an upgrade. Funded by $15 million from the Build Portland 2018 initiative, $7 million from the Mayor’s Livability Emergency Coordination funds, and more than $12 million from Parks System Development Charges, the project commenced at the end of 2023 with Bremik Construction at the helm. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in February 2024 to celebrate the “significant step in better serving the Mt. Scott-Arletta Neighborhood, and all of SE Portland.”
Designed by FFA Architects for the City of Portland, the project reimagined the historic structure while expanding community programming. The completed facility now totals 71,000 square feet, combining renovated and new spaces under one roof, including approximately 20,000 square feet of demolition to make way for modern, efficient facilities.
The project began with a complete facility move-out and the partial demolition of 20,000 square feet of existing space, including the original bathhouse, auditorium, offices, and fitness areas. The pool, gym, and underground roller rink were retained and fully renovated. A new two-story, 31,000-square-foot addition now provides preschool classrooms, multipurpose learning spaces, an event center, kitchen, fitness area, administrative offices, and support spaces—all under one cohesive roof.
Site improvements included new entry plazas at the east and west entrances, a 30-space parking lot, new landscaping, and right-of-way upgrades to meet current City of Portland standards.
The revitalized Mt. Scott Community Center now serves thousands of residents each year through expanded programming that includes preschool education, fitness classes, senior activities, and community events.
The purpose of the renovation was to complete seismic upgrades, improve ADA accessibility, and better serve the community with expanded services and upgraded facility amenities. With the upgrades, the building provides emergency shelter during extreme weather events, utilizing its high-performing HVAC systems and a 147 kW PV solar array that generates energy for the new all-electric building addition.
The Mt. Scott Community Center is LEED Gold-certified, the second-highest certification, and the project was showcased during Sustainable Building Week 2025 as an example of civic design innovation. The mass timber used in the construction was sustainably sourced and has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional steel. In addition to the solar array that generates energy to help power the center, the facility also utilizes low-carbon systems and radiant slab heating to use energy more efficiently.
One challenge—also closely tied to sustainability—was working around (within eight feet in some cases!) and protecting the existing large, established trees. Bremik Construction coordinated closely with the Urban Forestry Department to develop creative solutions for protecting the trees’ trunks, roots, and canopies. Since the project’s intent was to evoke a “cabin in the woods,” it was critical that these old-growth trees remained exactly as they were prior to construction.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier this month to invite community members to tour the new center and hear from those involved in its design and construction.
Ryan Pugh, a Project Manager at Bremik Construction, was in attendance and gave additional insight into the project.
What makes this building special?
Just looking around, you can see both the design and craftsmanship that went into the community center. This isn’t a brand-new build; it’s a renovation project that included tearing down part of the existing structure and rebuilding it brand new. It has quite a history.
Do you have a favorite part of the project?
When you walk through the doors, you immediately feel the warmth of the wood. The mass timber gives the building that inviting character, and that goes beyond the construction side. We worked hard to minimize exposed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to maintain a clean, cohesive look. Coordinating what it took to make that happen was challenging—but a lot of fun.
What did Bremik Construction do that other general contractors maybe wouldn’t have?
We finished ahead of schedule—not that another contractor couldn’t, but this was a challenging project. You always encounter unexpected conditions in an existing building, but we made it all work through transparency and teamwork. We call it a three-legged stool: owner, contractor, and architect. That stool stood strong throughout the project, and it really speaks to the partnership among all three. We kept the owner informed, collaborated with the architect on solutions, and implemented them quickly. It was as fluid a project as it could have been because of that teamwork.
What’s special about working with Bremik Construction?
Bremik Construction really values partnership with clients. We always put our best foot forward in every facet of construction. It’s that commitment and dedication to making sure the building performs the way the City of Portland and the community envisioned—so everyone can enjoy it, from the kids in classrooms to adults in the fitness rooms and people attending community events.
