Activities for AdultsYouth CenterPerforming ArtsFitness CenterAquaticsCommunity Center & rentals
Class of 1931

North County
Recreation District

NCRD Logo

Welcome
Center
Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

About NCRD

Kids enjoying the NCRD pool

North County Recreation District is a thriving community center offering a wide range of programs, classes and services, serving northern Tillamook County. We have achieved our original goals and many more, enhancing the quality of life for everyone living in the district as well as visitors to the area. Over the years we have been able to invest over $2,000,000 on capital projects and improvements and remain completely debt-free throughout those projects. In November 2020, NCRD passed a bond to help finance the new pool project.

Our mission is to promote the educational, social, and physical well-being of the entire north county community by offering activities for all ages and abilities in an inviting environment.

History

NCRD as The Nehalem School in 1930.

North County Recreation District began operations in 1997. It was created by a vote of the people in November of 1996 and passed with more than a 60% majority. The ballot measure established a tax base to provide funding for minor maintenance of the building and support for the community center and its 3 existing programs. It was intended as a lifeline for the Pool, and support for the Fitness Center (one room back then) and a Teen Center. If it hadn’t passed the Pool would have closed.

At that time the building, which was originally a school built in 1920, was still owned by the School District. NCRD didn’t own anything. Its only assets were its programs. This included the School Swim Program and carrying on the tradition that began in 1930 when the Pool was built, of providing every child in the community the opportunity to learn how to swim as part of their basic education.

NCRD adopted its current mission statement in December of 1999 and began working on a 20 Year Plan. Some of the stated goals were; to one day own the building, have a theatre, a senior center, and more programs for youth including a little league baseball program.

In 2002 NCRD acquired ownership of the building and began doing maintenance and repairs that had been deferred for years. Besides its historic significance the building has the distinction of being designed by renowned Portland architect, AE Doyle.

In 2007 we acquired ownership of the baseball field from the county and named it Rex Champ Field. This allowed for the expansion of our sports programs as well as creating a venue for large outdoor events. 

In 2016 the renovation of the old auditorium was completed. The space has been transformed into a beautiful new state of the art Performing Arts Center.

Thumbnail for "The NCRD Story" video

Released the first of 2018, this video tells the NCRD story of how a building came to hold the spirit of the community. Architectural conceptual plans of the NEW POOL are included in the video. 

Why the Pool Was Built - An interview with Vern Scovell.

ADA, Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

NCRD is committed to serving all members of our community, and we take special pride in our long history of welcoming persons with a great diversity of backgrounds; people with disabilities or special needs; adults; children; and seniors.

Although our main building was constructed almost 100 years ago, we have invested in a wheelchair ramp to our main entrance; constructed an ADA accessible restroom on the main floor; converted a freight elevator so that it can assist people in accessing our 90 year old pool; built ADA accessible pickleball courts; added smoke/fire alarm systems which include strobe lights for the hearing impaired; invested in adding ADA restrooms to our Performing Arts Center (now in progress) ; and are now beginning the transition to a new 100% accessible swimming pool.

We also have a scholarship program that can help families with limited financial resources to access our programs. Our staff in Aquatics, Youth Center, Fitness Center, and Administration have all participated in a variety of specialized trainings over the years which include serving people with a very broad array of special needs. More recent training has included the specific subjects of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Most importantly, our staff genuinely value their unique contributions to the quality of life for everyone in our community.

See more details about how each department works with these concepts, and how they are adapting to individual needs & requests.

If there are questions regarding accessibility, accommodations, or with any of the subjects discussed above, please call the Welcome Center at 971-308-0300.

Learn more here

Friends of NCRD

Friends of NCRD Flower sale.

Friends of NCRD’s Mission is to support NCRD by promoting it and raising funds for its programs and projects. In 2022, Friends of NCRD raised more than $27,000 for Youth, Aquatics and Fitness scholarships, together with NCRD programs and projects.
Friends’ volunteers have given generously over the years in support of NCRD. Flower sales, cut flower arrangements in the summer and a variety of bulbs in the fall, have been a major source of fundraising. The Flower Committee and about thirty volunteers helped with daily flower sales over the summer months.
The Plastic Project Committee encouraged community recycling and gifted three outdoor benches to NCRD. Friends of NCRD also collaborated with the Fitness Center on “Pop Goes the Heart”, a February fundraiser for new fitness equipment. 

Without volunteers none of this could happen. Friends of NCRD welcomes new members and volunteers to help support its mission. Become a member of Friends. Volunteer to help with a fundraiser. Be part of the support for North County Recreation District, one of our community’s most valuable resources.

Donate

District Boundaries

Map of the NCRD District Boundaries
Questions about North County Recreation District area and boundaries?

The District is defined, roughly, as:

• South of the Clatsop County Line
• North of the Neah-Kah-Nie High School
• Residents of Nehalem, Wheeler, and Manzanita, and many surrounding communities are included.

View the map above and contact us for further assistance:
Welcome Center at (855) 444-6273 or email us here.

Administrative Staff

Barbara McCann

Barbara McCann

Barbara McCann has a long history with NCRD. She moved to Manzanita 40 years ago and is deeply rooted in the community. Her three sons were born and raised here. Her middle son was actually born in Manzanita in a house on 3rd street. In 1995 when the Pool and the building lost their funding and were threatened with closure, her children were a major motivating factor for her getting involved. She understood very well that the Pool and the building were a community treasure because they contributed so much to her children’s education and quality of life. She was instrumental in forming and leading the grass roots organization that worked to support the facility for 2 years while creating NCRD. Since 1997 her dedication and commitment to preserve the facility for the community and future generations has continued to grow with the organization.

See Board Minutes & Documents

Board of Directors

Doug Sparks

Doug Sparks

Board Chair

Erin Laskey-Wilson

Erin Laskey-Wilson

Board Secretary

Frankie Knight III

Frankie Knight III

Board Chair

Nehalem

Mary Gallagher

Mary Gallagher

Board Vice Chair

Nehalem

Michael Howes

Michael Howes

Board Chair

See Board Minutes & Documents

Employment

Executive Director

The North County Recreation District is currently recruiting qualified applicants for the position of Executive Director. Opening Date: July 16, 2024 Closing Date: September 16, 2024 Desired Starting Date: March 1, 2025 About the Position: The Executive Director (ED) for North County Recreation District (NCRD, the District) serves as the chief executive officer for the District and is responsible for all aspects of the District’s management and operations. The ED is appointed by the Board of Directors and reports directly to the Board. Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in park and recreation administration/management, public or business administration, or an associated field. Five or more years of increasingly responsible management experience including budget development and financial management, facility management and operations, human resources management, and public relations. OR A combination of education, training and experience which satisfactorily demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Application Process: To be considered, candidates must submit a letter of introduction, resume, and completed and signed application form. The introductory letter should describe why you are interested in the position and how your education and experience satisfy the requirements of the position. Applications must be submitted by email or postal service to: Shanta Carter Attention: North County Recreation District Special Districts Association of Oregon PO Box 23879 Tigard, Oregon 97281 Email: scarter@sdao.com Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 4:00 PM (Pacific Time) Monday, September 16, 2024. Additional Information: The application form and position description are available at https://www.sdao.com/north-county-recreation-district-executive-director. This notice is not an offer of employment. Employment of the successful candidate is subject to satisfactory criminal background check, negotiation of an employment agreement, and final approval by the District Board of Directors. Please visit the SDAO website for more information: https://www.sdao.com/north-county-recreation-district-executive-director

Fitness

NCRD is looking for individuals to be part of our Fitness team. Opportunities are available for certified Fitness Instructors. Click below to download application.

Aquatics - Swim Instructor and Lifeguards

NCRD is looking for individuals to be part of our Aquatics team. Opportunities are available for Swim Program Manager, Swim Coach, Swim Instructors and Lifeguards. Where necessary, we are willing to provide certification training to individuals who possess all the other skills required. Full and part-time positions. Full-time with benefits including health insurance, retirement plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. . Click below to download application.

Finance Manager

Under general direction, the Finance Manager is responsible for District-wide financial services. This includes record-keeping, accounting, general administrative responsibilities and liaison providing support to all department managers. Position open until filled. Click the link below to view complete details.

Youth Assistant

The Youth Assistant is responsible for providing supervision and activities for school-aged children. The incumbent regularly communicates with parents, staff, and the Youth Director. Several part-time positions available, 5-20 hours per week. Positions open until filled. Click the link below to view complete details.

Contact us

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