Lifeguard HQ plan approved by council

It’s finally done.

The City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday the concept design for a new Marine Safety Headquarters and public restrooms at Main Beach.

Given the choice of two designs, the council opted for the larger one preferred by the lifeguards and recommended by staff.

“You’ve seen this [project] a few times before,” said Assistant City Manager John Pietig, an understatement that brought sympathetic chuckles from the council.

Seven previous designs were presented to the council.

The project first surfaced in 2001 when the restrooms at the north end of Main Beach were to be renovated, and it was suggested that their location be swapped with the nearby Marine Safety Headquarters to give lifeguards a broader view of the beach.

Architect Gary Whitfield was hired in 2005.

The first design presented to the council was opposed for style and size. The two-building concept that emerged was faulted because of the impact on the beach and public views.

Subsequently, the council approved a proposal to remove the sewer lift station from under the headquarters, which reduced the impacts of the design, but not enough to appease Inn at Laguna management or beach protectionists. However, the relocation of the lift station opened up new design possibilities.

Project Director Wade Brown credited City Manager Ken Frank for coming up with the notion of using the underground space for the lifeguard functions and facilities.

In April of this year, staff presented what they affectionately called the “Bubble Design,” which consolidated the two buildings into a one-story, above-ground structure with a basement in the same general area of the present headquarters.

The design approved Tuesday was a refined version of the Bubble. The 6,934-square-foot building includes a lifeguard dispatch office, first aid room, command staff offices, apparatus bay, emergency equipment and public restrooms at ground level.

Lifeguard restrooms, showers, locker room communications equipment and rooms for report writing and briefings will be housed in the basement level.

The electrical equipment will provide service for the headquarters and the lift station. Lift station operational controls also will be in the electrical room.

A view deck was eliminated from the project, but the construction would allow it to be tacked on in the future.

Councilwoman Verna Rollinger opposed the elimination.

“The [old] view deck was used mostly by skateboarders,” Marine Safety Chief Kevin Snow said. “It has been closed six or seven years and not horribly missed by us.”

Of the two options presented Tuesday, Inn management supported Option 2.

“There is very little difference between the two options from the public point of view,” said architect Lance Polster, speaking on behalf of the Inn.

“We have spent money and resources on this project to be sensitive to the neighbors,” Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Pearson said. “We have done enough.”