FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN CÁRDENAS UREÑO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT
(949) 497-7700 EXT. 5232 | AURENO@LBUSD.ORG

January 27, 2026

Laguna Beach USD board approves final actions on pool modernization, construction set to begin in June

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education on Jan. 8 approved final actions to move forward with the construction of the Laguna Beach High School pool modernization project.

The board approved the award of construction contracts for multiple components of the project following a public bidding process. Bids were opened in December, reviewed for completeness and compliance, and awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible contractors across a range of work categories, including demolition, concrete work, pool construction, plumbing, electrical work, and site improvements. The total value of the construction contracts approved is about $18.8 million.

In a separate but related action, the board also approved contracts for construction-phase services and required oversight, including inspection, materials testing, environmental monitoring, site security, labor compliance, tribal consultation, and construction management. These services support safety, regulatory compliance, and quality control throughout construction and were approved in an amount not to exceed $2.2 million.

Together, the approvals allow the district to proceed with both the physical construction of the pool modernization and the professional services necessary to manage, inspect, and complete the project in compliance with state and local requirements.

“This project represents a long-term investment in a facility that has served the entire Laguna Beach community for over 30 years,” said Board President Sheri Morgan. “The LBHS pool has long been a shared space for students and residents of all ages. Its modernization honors decades of collaborative use, incorporates neighborhood concerns about noise and lighting, and ensures the pool remains a vital resource for student programs and community recreation for generations to come.”

Construction is scheduled to begin on June 15, 2026. The pool will close on June 6, followed by equipment and site move-out from June 8 to June 12. Project completion is anticipated in June 2027.

Demolition work will begin in June, immediately after schools go into summer break, to reduce impacts to students, families, and surrounding neighborhoods. Construction staging will use existing parking spaces along Park Avenue to keep both lanes of traffic open throughout the project. No full street closures are planned.

Given Laguna Beach’s high fire risk, no construction work will occur in the public right of way on city-declared Red Flag days. Construction activity will also be coordinated to avoid school-related traffic patterns, and pedestrian access around the campus will be maintained during all phases of the project.

The June 2026 to June 2027 construction timeline was selected to minimize impacts to student programs. LBUSD aquatic programs will experience a single-season impact. During this period, the district will partner with neighboring school districts to share facilities and resources to support student participation across aquatic seasons.

The Laguna Beach High School pool modernization project is designed to replace aging infrastructure, address long-standing site constraints, and update the facility to meet current safety standards and program needs for students and the community.

For more information about Laguna Beach Unified School District, visit www.lbusd.org. 

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