Sharing agreement reach, but pools still to come

Andrew Wainer

Members of the Huntington Beach Union High School District and the City

Council have drafted a joint-use agreement for the planned Huntington

Beach and Ocean View High School pools.

The agreement is a step forward for the committee, made up of members

from the board of trustees and city council. But it will not be relevant

until funding is secured to build the pools.

The agreement -- formed Friday by the Joint Committee on Aquatics

Facilities -- would give the school district the majority of control over

the pool during the school year, with exclusive use during school hours.

The city would have more pool use rights during the summer and on

weekends.

Both parties said they plan to present the draft to the board of trustees

and the City Council for approval.

Both projects are lacking the money needed for completion.

The Huntington Beach High School pool’s estimated cost is $1.5 million,

while Ocean View’s is estimated at $3.8 million, said district’s Director

of Facilities Ed Baker.

The “Take The Plunge” fund-raising group has raised more than $600,000

for the Huntington Beach High School pool.

City Community Services Director Ron Hagan said the committee is

exploring several options for funding the pools, including grants,

donations and corporate sponsorships.

Hagan added that the failure of the district’s Nov. 9 infrastructure bond

election makes the task of capturing funds even more difficult.