READERS RESPOND

While I seldom have occasion to agree with Newport Beach City Councilman Tod Ridgeway, I must say that he and Councilwoman Leslie Daigle are right in promoting a 50-meter swimming pool at the proposed Santa Ana Heights community center.

After spending the last three years hauling three age-group swimmers to nearly every pool in Southern California, there is little question in my mind that a 50-meter by 25-yard competition pool is the only logical and cost-effective way to go. Newport Beach has nothing to compare with the (often multiple) aquatic facilities of Irvine, Mission Viejo, El Toro, Laguna Niguel and other Southland communities. They are in use nearly every day by local high schools, colleges, water polo teams and swim clubs. If properly handled, they can also be revenue-producers, as evidenced by last year’s U.S. National Championships and the televised “Duel in the Pool,” both held at aquatic centers in nearby communities. Fee arrangements for meets and with local swim clubs for regular use are also standard practice. The 50-meter by 25-yard size is now standard at new high schools, such as A.O. Beckman in Irvine, replacing the obsolete 25-yard pools build years ago, for economy reasons, at most local schools.

The basic decision must first be: Do we or don’t we want a competition pool? The location of tables and chairs on the pool deck, which seems to be the primary concern of some, is a nonstarter. Safety considerations dictate that tables and chairs shouldn’t be on the deck of any pool, regardless of size.

Adequate parking is really the key issue in considering a competition pool. Age-group swimming is an amazingly fast-growing activity, with nearly as many participants in our area as in American Youth Soccer Organization. Unlike soccer, the activities of a lot of children (and their parents) are concentrated in relatively small pool areas. At one (of several) U.S. Swimming-sponsored meets in Orange County recently, one swim club alone had more than 275 participants, and there were nearly 1,000 swimmers in total. With concentrated use like this, parking and other support facilities must be carefully planned.

It would be a shame if this great opportunity for the city to “do it right” were lost because the locals are interested only in paddling about for occasional exercise.

JOSEPH F. O’HORA

Newport Beach

It sounds to me like the Santa Ana Heights Project Advisory Committee has chosen what works the best for what they need and how the center is used. If the city needs a 50-meter swimming pool, let’s factor in the pool along with the future city hall plans that cost $600,000 to publicize and that we’re already paying for. It doesn’t really sound like a big issue because if we needed a 50-meter pool for the city, wouldn’t we have a legacy swimming center by now?

RANDY SETON

Balboa Island