Willamette Activity Center

Fast Facts - Updated July 2025

Funding awards to date: 13 awards for $7 M

Past, 1950 to 2022

• 1952– The Willamette City Elementary School was built in Willamette City, Oakridge.
• 1977– The school closed, and the City purchased the building.
• 1980– The City reopened the building as the Willamette Activity Center (WAC) and began to host co-located social services.
• 2022– the WAC closed due to the electrical system and roof leaks.

Present, 2022 to 2024 

There are 3 phases to bring the WAC back to life

Phase 1– Assessment and fundraising phase set to complete Dec. 2024

2022

• Oregon State House Bill 5202 provided the initial $1.5M to upgrade the roof, which provided leveraged funds for other grant opportunities.
• Oregon Community Foundation funded $57K for outreach and an architectural assessment by Wilson Architecture. The assessment evaluated the roof, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, circulation, and accessibility.

2023

• A survey of 442 residents was conducted by Consor to determine community use priorities for the WAC. Responses identified Community/Social Activities (79%), Emergency/Disaster Response (76%), Human/Social Care (73%), and Health/Medical Care (72%) as top priorities (see details at the bottom of the page)
• Awarded $30K for solar and battery backup feasibility study from the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE).
• Food for Lane County funded $50K to the Oakridge Food Box.

2024

• Rep. Hoyle appointed a Congressionally Directed Spending award for $500K.
• Lane County & United Way sub-award for $3.7M for an EPA Community Change Grant to designate and construct the WAC as a Resiliency Hub in a Lane County network with 5 other Hubs.
• Awarded $332K for roof solar installation with battery backup by ODOE.

Phase 2– 2025 Construction and continued fundraising

2025

• Awarded ~$98K for Oakridge Food Box renovations.
• Awarded $600K for Community Health Clinic renovations.
• Awarded $8K for Oakridge Food Box renovations.
• Grassroots fundraising $1K from the WAC Community Yard sale.
• Post request for proposals for roof and solar array Spring 2025.
• Select roof construction contractor July 2025 & complete construction Fall 2025.
• Post RFP for solar array, Oakridge Food Box demolition, & remodeling.

Fundraising continues for the remaining modules, including the primary care clinic, Oakridge Food Box, and additional community services (~$2-4M required).

Fundraising continues for the remaining modules, including the primary care clinic, Oakridge Food Box, and additional community services (~$2-4M required).

Future, 2025 to 2028

Future Phase 3– Final construction & funding awards

• Seek funding for exterior upgrades including seismic and smoke/fire hardening.

Working Toward Our Strategic Goals

The initiative to renovate the WAC and restore community services aligns with 7 out of 11 of Oakridge's Strategic Goals for 2020-2025.

Safe Community

• Create a safe community by partnering to protect people, property, and the environment.
• Provide efficient, sustainable, and equitable public safety services including police, fire, and emergency medical services.

Responsive Government

• In an open and transparent manner, effectively deliver services that citizens need, want, and support.
• Provide facilities and infrastructure that support current and future needs.

Strong Economy

• Improve the City's economy by focusing on increasing living-wage jobs, training, and education opportunities for Oakridge residents.

Community Livability

• Work with community partners to provide recreation, education, and enrichment opportunities for citizens and youth.
• Seek opportunities to revitalize the City's business corridors and neighborhoods to provide safe and beautiful places to live and work.

Community Priorities Survey Results

To capture input on the desired future services and uses of the WAC, The City partnered with South Willamette Solutions to administer a community survey. Input was sought from the Oakridge-Westfir area residents from July 1–July 31, 2023, resulting in 442 community members completing the survey. The feedback will be considered as the City identifies future programming and uses for the WAC.

High-Level Summary

442 total survey responses

• 183 print survey responses
• 259 online survey responses

In rank order, the combined results for “Important” and “Very Important” by service category are:

1. Community / Social Activities (79%)
2. Emergency / Disaster Response (76%)
3. Human / Social Care (73%)
4. Health / Medical Care (72%)
5. Early Childhood Education / Child Care (69%)
6. Business / Education Center (62%)
7. Vital / Basic Care (59%)

Additional details can be found in the full report linked below.

* Project costs change and are a reflection of funding awards. Future project costs are ballpark estimates. The project team is keeping an eye on potential cost efficiencies throughout the project.