Concordia hopes to develop arena and community center

Concordia University is pursuing the possibility of developing an indoor sports arena and community center on the site of the old Whitaker Middle School along Northeast 42nd Avenue.

Randy Dalzell, track and field coach at Concordia, said the university hopes to buy 6.5 acres on the 10-acre site and build a multi-use building. The facility would have a 300-meter track and seating for up to 3,000 spectators. It would also be configured to allow for indoor soccer, basketball and volleyball, plus meeting spaces.

“There is a window of opportunity approaching with this property to do what’s right for the Northeast Portland community,” Dalzell said. “(Portland Public Schools) has to sell it this spring.”

 – Excerpt from The Oregonian, February 10, 2007