Fate of pool may hang on repair bond

Andrew Wainer

The outcome of Huntington Beach High Union High School District’s Nov. 9

bond election will affect the financial status of Huntington Beach High

School’s planned $1.5-million community aquatics complex.

The complex would be granted $80,000 from the school modernization bond

if it passes, said Ed Baker, district facilities director.

The money would be spent on constructing handicap access from the pool to

the adjacent locker rooms. All major construction projects must now

include handicap access, Baker said.

There is no handicap access to the pool because it was constructed under

an old building code, which did not mandate such accommodations.

Unfortunately for aquatic complex supporters, little of the $160 million

in bond money would be available for the pool construction.

A citizen committee of business and community leaders has already decided

that if the bond passes, money could not be used for new construction,

but only to repair existing facilities.

The district has said bond money will be used for infrastructure

improvements such as electrical and structural repairs.

District, community and city officials have agreed the aquatic complex

would be open to the public and could be used for lifeguard training,

swimming lessons and various competitions.

City officials said a future complex could conceivably be used 12 hours a

day, bringing in significant revenue.

Currently, Huntington Beach’s junior lifeguards are sent to schools

outside the city to train, and many in the community -- especially those

within the “Take the Plunge” campaign -- said Surf City’s lack of pool

facilities is ridiculous.

The bond funds would be another small financial step forward in their

quest for a new aquatic complex in Huntington Beach.

The bond requires a two-thirds vote to pass. Recent polling indicates it

is supported by nearly two-thirds of the community.