FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN UREÑO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
949-497-7700 EXT. 5232

October 11, 2024

Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education approves $19M, 45-meter pool modernization concept at Laguna Beach High School

Planning and environmental impact review  process set to begin

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — The Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Board of Education has approved the concept for an estimated $19 million, 45-meter pool modernization project at Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) during its regular meeting on October 10. The modernization, a critical upgrade to the existing pool infrastructure, has undergone significant changes since the original plan was presented in March 2023. The approved concept was shaped by extensive feedback and adapted to fit constraints at the existing site, with environmental and neighborhood impacts carefully considered to support both district and community needs, while mitigating concerns related to light, sound, and neighborhood views.

As part of the next steps, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process will begin to gather additional community input on the potential impacts of the project, including those that may occur during construction. This feedback will be reviewed, and any identified impacts will be addressed through mitigation strategies that will be incorporated into the final construction plans. The CEQA process must be completed before the project can move forward to the bidding phase.

The current pool, which is at the end of its life cycle, will be replaced with a modernized facility designed to meet both competitive and recreational needs. The new pool will feature seventeen 25-yard lap lanes, each 8 feet wide, accommodating up to 102 swimmers at once. It will include varying lane depths, with one lane ranging from 5 to 7 feet deep and sixteen lanes at a consistent 7 feet. Additionally, the shallow section will maintain its current 750 square foot size, with water depths between 3.5 and 4.5 feet, providing space for a variety of activities and users.

The facility will also be equipped for competitive water polo with floating goal all-deep water polo courses in 25-yard, 25-meter, and 30-meter configurations, along with fixed or wall-mounted 25-yard practice courses featuring two side-by-side layouts. Accessibility is a key feature of the design, with ADA-compliant walk-out stairs, an ADA-compliant lift, and five sets of grabrails with recessed steps. The pool will also feature underwater lighting, enhancing both functionality and safety.

"The pool modernization project comes at a critical time due to the aging infrastructure of our current pool,” said Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Jeff Dixon. “It also presents an opportunity to enhance the facility in a way that better serves both our students and the community, offering greater flexibility while aligning with the district’s sustainability goals and priorities," he concluded. 

The estimated cost of the Laguna Beach High School pool modernization project is around $19 million, though the final amount could change, as is common with construction projects. The district’s budget for 2024-25 includes funds set aside for important maintenance and improvement projects, part of a long-term plan that has been in place since the district’s Ten Year Facilities Master Plan was developed in 2015. This includes a commitment of $10 million from one-time savings and additional funds being added to a special account for facility improvements. By 2026-27, this account is expected to grow to over $19 million, with more than $22 million by 2027-28. The district’s budget planning covers rising costs and ensures that funds are available for capital improvement projects, without affecting other important educational programs. Additionally, the district received a $1 million reimbursement from the state for past improvements at Thurston Middle School, which will contribute to funding the project. 

Community members can stay informed about the pool modernization project and other important updates by subscribing to the district’s newsletter, "It's A Wrap." This regular newsletter will provide ongoing information about the project’s progress, community feedback opportunities, and key milestones. Updated conceptual plans for the pool modernization can be viewed at www.lbusd.org/FMP. To subscribe to the newsletter and stay connected, visit www.lbusd.org/itsawrap.

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