CdM pool set for huge renovation

CORONA DEL MAR — In high school swimming there’s not really a home-field edge, but with a $1.3-million renovation possibly kicking off next March at Corona del Mar’s Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center, the Sea Kings will be forced to hit the road.

The renovation, spearheaded by the CdM Community Aquatics Facilities Foundation, a nonprofit organization, will shut down the pool during the boys’ and girls’ swimming seasons this spring. The closure will also effect Newport Beach’s community swimming programs offered at the school.

“For the minor inconvenience of us being without a pool, it will be OK because we are going to have a great facility,” said CdM Athletic Director Paul Orris, adding that the teams will most likely practice at a pool in Harbor View because most of the swimmers live nearby.

“We are very fortunate for the support we get from the community. It makes this a special place when everyone is contributing.”

Fundraising efforts have begun to upgrade the 16-year-old facility, which is home to high school swimming, water polo and physical education classes, as well as city recreational programs such as swimming lessons, adult lap and lifeguard training.

Angela Kraus, the CCAFF committee chairperson, said the Newport-Mesa Unified School District has allocated $250,000 to replaster the school’s pool and repair the deck and drainage system. Newport Beach has provided a $290,000 challenge pledge, but it will only award the money to the project if the community raises $710,000, said Kraus.

“Eleven months out of the year the pool is in use and we want to make sure the pool is in excellent condition for everyone,” said Kraus, an attorney, who has three children involved in aquatic sports, including two at CdM, junior Evan Zepfel and freshman Adina Zepfel. “The pool will be most likely be ready by mid-May. We want to make sure the pool is back in service in time for summer so that the city programs and also the high school offseason programs are not disturbed.”

Other upgrades to the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center will include a remodeled office area for coaches and city staff, new restrooms, locker rooms and showers, installation of shade structures over bleacher areas, updated wiring, lighting, ventilation and communication systems, and a new scoreboard.

Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation can send them to Haddan & Zepfel, 500 Newport Center Drive, Suite 580, Newport Beach, or contact Kraus at (949) 644-7064.

“I already think the facility is one of the best around,” said Corona del Mar second-year boys’ swimming coach Barry O’Dea. “We’re pretty excited it will get cleaned up a little and especially replastered. I’m not sure if the pool gives us a home-field advantage, but it’s been (17 years) since the last time it was replastered.”