Boy Scouts request expansion to sea base

Mathis Winkler

MARINERS MILE -- A two-story sailing building and another for rowing.

A new waterfront walkway and a floating boat dock.

That’s what Orange County’s Boy Scouts hope to build after demolishing

their existing sea base if Newport Beach’s planning commissioners approve

the project tonight.

The sea base of the Boy Scouts of America -- Orange Council Chapter,

as the organization is officially named, has existed for about 64 years,

according to city officials. The current buildings have replaced older

ones over time. The latest expansion plans would more than double what’s

there already, from 9,943 square feet to 22,060 square feet.

Those in charge at the base said the $4.5-million project would allow

the organization to catch up with demand. While about 12,000 people used

the base annually just five years ago, that number’s up to 30,000, said

Bill Mountford, the base’s director. He added that the organization plans

to serve 50,000 to 60,000 people by 2010.

“We just want to have an adequate facility, as we’re looking into the

future,” Mountford said, adding that five classrooms would be added to

the existing three. The base would also become accessible for people with

disabilities.

As part of the project, an existing two-story building that includes

offices, classrooms and storage space would be remodeled. The existing

1,785-square-foot duty house would be demolished, and a 490-square-foot

outdoor boat storage area would be removed.

The new sailing building would take up 8,215 square feet and would be

connected to the existing two-story building by an open deck. The rowing

building, at 6,400 square feet, would include a boat storage area on the

first floor and a caretaker’s apartment above.

The base’s parking lot would be changed to hold 40 cars.

The Scouts rent the 1.18-acre site from the county at no cost.

Although gay and lesbian groups and the American Civil Liberties Union

protested the lease of public land to an organization that bars gays from

membership, county supervisors extended the lease for 30 years in

September. The extension begins in 2006.

If the expansion is approved, the Scouts hope to begin construction by

September and open the new base in June 2002, Mountford said.

FYI

The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at Newport Beach

City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.