Facilities Master Plan (FMP)

The Laguna Beach Unified School District currently owns and maintains four schools, district offices, and a warehouse facility encompassing approximately 312,400 square feet of building space. Established in 2015, the District's Ten Year Facilities Master Plan (FMP) undergoes annual updates to guide long-term planning for the maintenance, renovation, and modernization of school and district facilities. This long-range planning document addresses the ongoing need to repair, replace, and upgrade existing facilities, including capital improvements to tackle aging infrastructure.

LBUSD Ten Year Facilities Master Plan (revised December 2023)

LBUSD Energy and carbon Master Plan

Capital Improvement Projects in Progress

Laguna Beach High School Pool Modernization

In March 2023, Laguna Beach USD presented proposed updates for its Ten-Year Facilities Master Plan, outlining a comprehensive range of potential improvements that addressed aging infrastructure and the need to modernize facilities to meet current building codes, with a focus on long-term sustainability and safety. A key focus includes modernizing the district’s aging pool facility, which also serves as the city's only pool and has reached the end of its 30-year lifespan. With outdated equipment and structures, extensive upgrades are required to bring it up to current standards, including the gym and locker rooms. The conceptual renderings, particularly in the design of the aquatic facilities, consider the programmatic needs of the district’s aquatic/athletic programs while also remain mindful that the pool serves as a crucial resource for the community.

The conceptual drawings shown below capture both the initial proposals and the most current updates to the LBHS Pool Modernization project, reflecting community feedback and a reduction in scope and size. Early presentations included similar images, but those were not formal renderings as they only illustrated potential building masses rather than actual design concepts. The current renderings are based on early design work and provide a more accurate representation of what could be constructed. While these drawings give a clearer sense of the project's direction, details such as finishes, signage, and colors are still to be determined. However, the goal remains to align the new facilities with the existing architectural style of the high school across the street.

Planning to Design

LBHS pool modernization proposals presented to the Board of Education in March 2023 — Initial master plan concept presented to the Board of Education in March 2023

Updated LBHS Pool Modernization proposals following community feedback — Updated design concept presented to the Board of Education on October 10, 2024

LBHS pool modernization current and proposed renderings

Timeline	Specific Actions	Status	Notes
March 23, 2023	Initial project proposals presented to the Board of Education (BOE)	Complete	Proposed updates to the district’s Ten Year Facilities Master Plan considered all district properties for current improvements, including relocating the LBHS Community Pool and adding a parking structure at 550 Blumont Street.
May 2, 2023	LBHS Community Open House	Complete	At the BOE's direction, staff host open houses at sites with identified projects. The LBHS meeting included revised proposals based on early feedback, keeping the pool's current location and eliminating parking structures.
May 23, 2023	Updated proposals presented to BOE reflecting open house and online form community feedback.	Complete	Staff presented proposals that showed possibilities for enlarging the pool to support school and community needs; considerations included pool sizes ranging from 40 to 50 meters. All proposals included significant renovation and/or demolition of existing building facilities to comply with current code requirements.
June 6, 2023	Joint meeting with Laguna Beach City Council	Complete	City created subcommittee and directed staff to take part in the LBHS pool master plan update.
June 27, 2023	BOE Study Session on LBHS pool	Complete	Additional options presented; information included an overview of the California Environmental Quality Act Requirements (CEQA) and process.
September 28, 2023	BOE Study Session on existing and potential pool use based on size options presented	Complete	Information presented included considerations for expanded use, in consultation with existing club water polo and swim organizations.
December 2023	Final updates to Ten Year FMP approved; including LBHS Pool Modernization	Complete	Projects approved with an identified timeline of 2024-2027 for the LBHS Pool Modernization project and identified cash flow requirements.
March 2024	BOE awards contracts for design services for the modernization of the Laguna Beach High School pool	Complete	At its March 12 meeting, the Laguna Beach City Council voted to end the joint use agreement with LBUSD and pursue building a new 25-meter city-operated pool. This decision informed the design contract agreements, with project timelines indicating that the LBUSD pool will undergo construction from March to August 2026, and the pool support buildings will be completed by late 2026.
April 2024	LBHS Pool Modernization design committee is formed	Complete	Members include LBUSD Athletics Director, LBHS aquatics coaches, PE teachers, LBUSD Facilities Director, Laguna Beach club water polo, Beeler Aquatics, Aquatic Design Group, lap swimmers, environmental consultant, architects, and construction manager
July 2024	Conceptual Design Phase	In Progress	The committee is currently defining the project scope, creating a clear budget, making a detailed schedule, and developing initial design plans.
August 2024	Community Meeting	Complete	A community meeting regarding the LBHS pool modernization brought together community groups, pool users, aquatics parents, and city staff to present updates on conceptual designs and gather additional feedback from stakeholders.
Fall 2024	Detailed Design & Engineering	Upcoming	At this stage, the design team will start creating detailed architectural and structural elements of the project. They will take the initial ideas and turn them into specific designs for the building and its spaces. This part of the process also includes getting approval from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act).
Spring 2025	Construction Document Development	Upcoming	During the construction document phase, the design team will create final drawings and specifications. These documents are needed for getting permits, as well as for bidding and building the project. The plans must also be approved by the Division of the State Architect.
Summer/Fall 2025	Construction Documents submitted for approval by the Division of the State Architect	Upcoming	The Division of the State Architect (DSA) in California is a government agency responsible for ensuring that public buildings, such as schools and state facilities, are safe and accessible. They review and approve building plans to make sure they meet all safety codes and regulations, including those for earthquake safety and accessibility for people with disabilities. The DSA's approval is required before construction can begin on these public projects.

2023 FMP UPDATES

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

Thurston Field Modernization

The District converted the natural grass field to a multi-sport synthetic turf field. Included in the project scope was the removal of two leased portable classroom buildings and extensive repairs to the rear slope of the school The improved synthetic turf field space increases safety, playability, and significantly lowers the site's landscape irrigation water consumption. The field construction took approximately 7 months to complete and the facility was opened for use on February 4, 2022.

FIELD MODERNIZATION TIMELAPSE

Thurston Classroom Modernization

(*Click the photo on the left to link to a larger gallery of photos)

Existing building space was modernized to create two new 21st century learning environments that are used for mathematics instruction. Construction of the classrooms was completed during the 2020-21 school year and utilized starting in August of 2021.

CLASSROOM MODERNIZATION TIMELAPSE

LBHS Stadium Restroom-Storage Building

The Laguna Beach High School athletic stadium building designed by Ruhnau Clarke Architects is located between the track and baseball field near St. Ann's Drive. The building includes space for athletic team storage, restrooms, coach's office, locker room, and concessions to meet the various athletic, school, and community needs. Construction was completed and the building opened for use in January 2019.

LBHS Artists Theater Upgrades

The Artists Theater located at Laguna Beach High School was upgraded to provide code compliant accessibility to and within the Theater. Included within the upgrades was wheelchair access improvements, stair and ramp handrails, electrical lighting, and fire alarm upgrades. Construction was completed in December 2018.

LBUSD Energy Efficiency Project Dugger Gym

LBUSD Energy Efficiency / Prop 39

The lighting at all District facilities was audited and converted from various lighting technologies to LED. Mechanical systems requiring replacement were upgraded with high-efficiency air conditioners, furnaces, and equipment. The project included the provision of air conditioning at the LBHS Dugger Gym and also a complete HVAC replacement at the LBHS Artists Theater. Construction was completed in December 2018.

TOW Classroom Replacement

At Top of the World Elementary School, three (3) portable classroom buildings were removed and replaced with permanent modular classroom buildings. The three (3) new energy efficient and sustainable buildings include high ceilings, natural light, and designs that actively engage young students. The project was completed December 2017.

LBHS Stadium Track & Turf Replacement with Drainage Improvements

The Laguna Beach High School stadium track rubber and synthetic turf was replaced with new durable high-performing systems. The polyethylene and nylon blended turf fibers provide a soft, but durable playing surface complete with shock absorbent padding. The project was completed August 2016.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Public Meetings

LBUSD hosted four community open houses throughout April and May to gather community feedback that informs updates to the district’s Ten-Year Facilities Master Plan.

Past Meetings

August 19, 2021 | Regular Board Meeting | Approval of a contract for architectural services for Transitional Kindergarten Planning and a District Office Feasibility StudySeptember 22, 2022 | Study Session | District Office Feasibility StudySeptember 22, 2022 | District Office Feasibility Study with considerations for the use of the Saint Catherine of Siena property March 23, 2023 | Study Session | 2023 Facilities Master Plan Updates, Scope of WorkMay 23, 2023 | Study Session & WorkshopJune 6, 2023 | Joint Meeting: City Council and Board of Education June 27, 2023 | Facilities Master Plan Study SessionSeptember 28, 2023 | Facilities Master Plan Study SessionOctober 12, 2023 | Facilities Master Plan Study Session November 16, 2023 | Regular Board Meeting | Review of 2023-24 Ten Year Facilities Master updateDecember 12, 2023 | Regular Board Meeting, Thurston Middle School

For additional assistance or questions please contact Ryan Zajda at (949) 497-7700 ext. 5213 or by email at rzajda@lbusd.org.

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