Have you rented your Sunriver vacation home with us and were told that you get SHARC passes or entry included? What the SHARC is anyway, and what can you do while there? We’ve got your answers!
How did the SHARC get its name? Why is it spelled wrong?
We promise there’s a reason that the name isn’t spelled “shark”, like the animal. SHARC is short for the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center. Feel free to say it either way – we’ll know what you mean!
What will we find at the SHARC? What do my passes get me?
Swimming Year-Round
The large outdoor aquatic park is the highlight of this Sunriver attraction. This is THE place to be in the hot summer months. With waterslides, a lazy river, sunbathing spots, and a tot pool and sand area, your summer days will already be planned for your Sunriver visit. Be sure to get there early, as the center often hits capacity and forms a line to get in during peak days.
The center also offers an indoor pool area that features a shallow play area for little ones, lap lanes, and even a whirlpool and a basketball hoop. The indoor pool and the outdoor adult hot tub are available year-round.
Each SHARC pass in your vacation rental will provide admission for one person. So you can ride your bikes on over, show your pass, and swim to your heart’s content. Just be sure to BYOT (Bring Your Own Towel) and to read up on other safety and access requirements.
Food to Fuel the Fun
Does swimming make you feel peckish? Enjoy delicious food and beverages at the SHARC’s Reef cafe, which offers meal options for all ages and a variety of beverages. The cafe has outdoor shaded seating for your comfort and to enjoy Sunriver’s beautiful weather while eating. Their tasty menu offerings include barbecue-style sandwiches, fries, and other accompaniments.
This cafe is open seasonally, so please be sure to check their hours of operation in case you need to pack your snacks. Outside food is not allowed in the facility (except non-glass water bottles.) If you pack your own food, you may use the picnic tables at SHARC’s Paulina Park or eat at your vehicle.
Additional Activities and Events at SHARC
While SHARC is known for swimming, you’ll find a variety of other things as well. There is a 9-hole disc golf course that weaves through the beautiful surrounding landscape. This is Sunriver’s only disc golf course. Nearby, find Paulina Park and practice your rock climbing skills on the rock walls, bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the many tables or in the green grass, or take advantage of the bocce ball court. Around the building from the park, you will find an on-site basketball court so you can shoot some hoops before heading back to your vacation rental for dinner.
Turf Tunes, a summer concert series held at the John Gray Amphitheater at SHARC is fantastic entertainment to enjoy during your Sunriver vacation! Experience live music from nationally recognized musicians for free on select Sundays in June and July. SHARC also features one premier musical act via a ticketed concert during the summer lineup.
If you are having an event of any kind, be sure to check in here to see if the SHARC is the right venue for you. There are event spaces for smaller gatherings to weddings and beyond.
Why was the SHARC built in Sunriver?
This premier facility was funded by Sunriver property owners, and the Sunriver Owners Association (SROA) operates the space. Before SHARC, Sunriver featured a great pool on the community’s south end. The South Pool was always full and eventually needed some major updates. At this time, the SROA board received lots of input from the community via surveys and meetings, and found that a facility such as this seemed to be the desired outcome. In August 2010, the community voted in favor of the facility, and construction began. SHARC opened its doors in May 2012 and has welcomed millions of visitors since.
How do I get there?
You’ll find the SHARC right off of Circle 2, on Overlook Road in Sunriver. You won’t be able to miss it:
57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver, OR
Feel free to drive, walk, or bike from your vacation rental. Follow the cheerful screams and laughter of locals and visitors alike, and you’ll find the SHARC.
