Scouts christen new base

Alicia Robinson

Everything’s looking ship shape at the Boy Scouts’ Newport Sea Base,

where new buildings and renovations will further its mission of

educating people about the water.

Workers wrapped up a $6.8-million construction project in late

March that began in December 2002. Owned and operated by the Orange

County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the sea base was founded

in 1937. Renovations included two new buildings that have classrooms,

offices and a computer lab. And its existing 25-year-old building was

substantially remodeled.

A grand opening ceremony featuring the dedication of the flagpole

and free family activities all day will be held Saturday.

“We’re beside ourselves with excitement,” sea base Director

Catherine Malm said of the expanded base.

While a group of children learned about squid during a day camp

program on Monday, Malm and other sea base officials were putting the

final touches on the upgraded facility and getting ready for the

opening.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Arthur Gronsky, a volunteer who has worked

with the sea base since 1947. “My fondest dreams would never look as

good as this.”

Over the years Gronsky has helped with fundraising and worked on

the Argus, a tall ship that docks at the sea base. He’s also been on

the base’s volunteer advisory board for 25 years.

The sea base makes important contributions to the community

through its educational programs, but that’s not all it provides,

Gronsky said.

“They supply a tremendous amount toward building the character of

the young people that come through here as well as the education,” he

said.

The base offers educational programs year-round for children and

young people between the ages of 6 and 21. Summer day camps teach

children boating and oceanography skills and include them in

environmental restoration projects.Students have the opportunity to

participate in competitive boat racing and can take three or five-day

trips out on a tall ship to see how sailors really live.

“We like to involve students in the classroom and on the water,”

said sea base program director Knowlton Shore.

Outdoors, children can learn sailing skills, while inside they can

learn about environmental science or using a ship’s radio. The base’s

new computer lab will be worked into many programs, Shore said.

Now that the base has more space, Shore plans to build more

partnerships with educational groups and expand programs during the

school year.

The redesign of the facility gave the sea base a chance to

practice what it preaches about environmental responsibility.

To keep runoff that could contain fertilizers and other

contaminants from polluting the harbor, the sea base’s concrete

aprons and grassy areas between the buildings are fitted with drains

that funnel runoff into an underground percolation system, Malm said.

The system filters runoff water through 12 feet of sediment to

clean out pollutants naturally.

“We’re the first site in Newport [Harbor] to have that capability,

so we’re very proud of that because a lot of what we teach involves

conservation and stewardship,” Malm said.

Buildings were also made earthquake safe. The reconstruction

included driving 150 piles into the earth and pouring an extra thick

concrete building pad over interwoven steel beams.

“Essentially all of the earth from this [area] could probably be

removed and the buildings would still be standing,” Malm said.

The grand opening Saturday will include a gun salute by the sea

base’s tall ships, the state Department of Fish and Game’s

sharkmobile, a visit from some pirates, and a flagpole dedication at

12:30 p.m.

For information on the event or to reserve a spot call

(714)546-8558 ext. 136. Event organizers can help with parking

arrangements and a shuttle from off-site parking will be available

for those who call ahead. The sea base is at 1931 West Coast Highway,

Newport Beach.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.