When visitors return to Mt. Scott Community Center (MSCC) in early January 2026, they will be welcomed by an increased variety of classes and programs, housed in an updated facility. The major renovation and expansion, which began in December 2023, nearly doubled the building’s square footage. Visitors have trickled in since the soft opening this past September, which allowed drop-in activities during limited hours.
Built in 1927, MSCC was originally an outdoor pool, with the gym and roller rink added in the 1950s. Leftover wood from the construction of the Oaks Park roller rink was salvaged and moved to the center’s basement to complete the rink’s floor. The indoor pool was added in 2000, with the outdoor pool becoming the current parking lot.
Gabe Barbee, a recreation coordinator at MSCC, explains that the renovation was largely motivated by safety, saying, “The original building just wasn’t meeting modern standards anymore.” He explains that, “A lot of the systems — electrical, plumbing, structural — were decades old. Once we looked closely, it was clear a full renovation was the safest path forward.” Structural updates to the building included seismic improvements, roof and wall reinforcement, and interior reconstruction, along with the addition of new HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and enhanced fire safety measures.
The renovation significantly altered the building’s layout, adding tall, floor-to-ceiling windows lining the community center’s walls, allowing visitors to feel immersed in the surrounding nature. According to Barbee and a second staff member who wished to remain anonymous, the process involved moving in and out of, as well as demolishing, 70% of the original building.
Several rooms were redesigned to utilize space more effectively. Charli Anang, a regular visitor, comments on the updated design, saying, “The new architecture is certainly attractive.” Barbee explains that accessibility was another forefront of the renovation. This was accomplished by adding an elevator and all-gender restrooms, as well as altering entrances in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. A more open building design and the installation of clearer interior pathways is meant to facilitate easier navigation for visitors.
Before the renovation, the gym was a small one-room space, but it has now expanded to accommodate more equipment and people. It extends the original 31,000-square-foot building into a two-story, 70,000-square-foot modern recreation facility, adding a second floor of fitness spaces — the upstairs is focused on cardio, and the lower level is dedicated to strength training. A new aerobics studio features yoga, Pilates, and a variety of other fitness classes.“Classes are exploding. Things are getting full, and it’s hard to keep up with the demand, even with how much more space we have in the building,” says Barbee. The event space was expanded, and a full kitchen was added for catering purposes.
Additionally, an updated teen lounge was added to the center, which hosts programming for the city-wide teen program “TeenForce.” According to Barbee, MSCC welcomes 30 to 50 teens each day. He explains that the TeenForce program aims to provide a place where youth aged 10 to 20 feel integrated in their communities. Teens must sign up to participate, which can be done free of charge. The TeenForce program provides access to various amenities within the center, including the pool, roller rink, and gym. Barbee explains why he feels the program is so popular, saying, “It’s a safe space, our teen staff are amazing, very welcoming to a lot of kids who may not have after-school programs.”
Affordable classes and memberships make it possible for the general public to utilize the center. Barbee explains that the staff at MSCC have a shared mission to provide quality services that remain accessible to the Portland community. For many, the MSCC serves as a third space between school, home, and work. The January reopening will expand their hours to 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
