North Coast
Citizen Serving North Tillamook County since 1996
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | Vol. 32, Issue 17
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Track use debate heats up WILL CHAPPELL Citizen Editor
Diving blocks were among the last items waiting to be installed at the North County Recreation District’s new natatorium.
NCRD pools set to open WILL CHAPPELL Citizen Editor
Following delays caused by issues with faulty equipment, the North County Recreation District’s new natatorium is set to open for business in the coming weeks. North County Recreation District Executive Director Justin Smith said that training was nearly complete, and the district planned a soft opening for the facility ahead of a later, formal grand opening ceremony. Started in early 2023, the new pool project’s $18 million budget is being financed by district savings, private donations, including one from Adventist Health Tillamook to build the therapy pool, and a county award of $1.7 million in transient lodging tax funds. Now, the pools are complete, with equipment installed and
staff nearly completely trained on lifesaving procedures for the pools and maintenance operations for the new equipment, with only some training on specific scenarios left for lifeguards. The new facility features two pools, one a six-lane lap pool and the other a therapy pool featuring a wheelchair ramp for access. Smith said that the smaller pool has a capacity of 48, while the larger pool could accommodate 142. Completion of the project was originally scheduled for early this summer, but a series of issues with equipment— late delivery of sand filters that arrived leaky and malfunctioning heat exchangers—caused a delay of several months. NCRD staff are planning to operate the pool with the same hours and programming as the legacy pool to start, and at least half the larger pool will
NCRD’s new pool building will have a dedicated receptionist and at least one lifeguard on duty at all times.
be configured for lap swimmers outside of open swims. Smith said the larger pool will be kept at 81-82 degrees, while the therapy pool will be maintained around 91-92 degrees, and the air temperature around 80 degrees. Students from the Neah-Kah-Nie School district are set to begin
lessons in the new space in late September and Smith said he was hoping to add lessons outside of the school program as well as classes for those suffering arthritis. A plan is in development for securing the district’s existing pool, which Smith said will be closed to the public
while the district raises funds to take next steps with the space. As for a grand opening for the pool, Smith said that would occur once bricks and a display wall thanking donors to the project are installed in the coming months so that the district can recognize their contributions.
A request by the City of Rockaway Beach to allow the city to take over the section of tracks north of its wayside, currently used by the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, to construct a portion of the Salmonberry Trail at last month’s Port of Tillamook Bay meeting has ignited a passionate discussion in north county. Proponents of the trail and representatives from the city argue that the cost of building the trail alongside the railroad is prohibitive in the northern section of Rockaway Beach and that the trail’s benefits for Rockaway Beach and neighboring Wheeler would outweigh those provided by the railroad, while questioning the railroad’s future, given its financial situation. Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCRS) General Manager Trevor Park said that the railroad is on track to repay debts incurred by previous management and be in a strong financial situation by next year, and argued that the railroad’s continued success and growth, as well as its future plans are reliant on continued use of the tracks. “What’s going to happen to OCSR if 20% of our income vanishes overnight,” Park wondered referencing the revenue generated by trips on the section of rail. “It’s a death blow. There’s no question that it is a death blow.” The discussion arose at July’s meeting of the Port of Tillamook Bay board of commissioners, when Rockaway Beach City Manager Luke Shepard appeared to give an update on the trail based on a preliminary trail design. During the design work, Shepard said that it had become apparent to the project team that the planned rails-and-trails configuration, with the trail adjoining the operational rail track, was not going to be feasible north of the OCSR depot at the city’s wayside. Shepard said that the cost of constructing the mile of trail between 19th and Beech Streets would be $4.6 million, a figure that would not be competitive when applying for further funding from the Oregon Department of See TRACK, Page A3
Jammin’ at the Pearl and Oyster STAFF REPORT
Beautiful weather set the stage for a weekend packed with music and family fun at the fourth annual Pearl and Oyster festival on August 23 and 24.
On Saturday, bands played for eight hours as festivalgoers enjoyed vendors and food, while on Sunday kids took center stage with a talent show, kid vendors and pet parade. The Music kicked off in Al Griffin Memorial Park on Saturday with Tombstone Shadows, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band performing., before
Beastie Boys tribute Grand Royale played a second afternoon set and Eagle Eyes finished the night with favorites from the Eagles. Dozens of vendors set up on A and 4th Streets selling crafts and food across the weekend and on Sunday a local kids’ band performed ahead of the talent show.
The new clinic’s parking lot is now complete, including electric car chargers.
NBHD Clinic to open October 4 WILL CHAPPELL Citizen Editor
Grande Royale performs at the Pearl and Oyster Festival on Saturday afternoon.
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Festivalgoers browse vendors’ goods at the fourth annual Pearl and Oyster festival.
With substantial completion mere weeks away, workers are completing a final punch list of items at the Nehalem Bay Health District’s new clinic facility in Wheeler, and a grand opening is scheduled for October 4. After a groundbreaking last July, work on the $12.2-million facility has progressed smoothly and is on track to come in under budget, according to Nehalem Bay Health District (NBHD) Board President Marc Johnson. The new 16,000-square-foot building will expand the district’s exam room capacity from seven to 15, while Johnson estimated that the new pharmacy has about ten times more space for staff than the current facility. The clinic and pharmacy will be located on See NBHD, Page A3