High school pool may soon become reality

-- Angelique Flores

After five years, Surf City residents may soon be able to get their

feet wet in a community pool at Huntington Beach High School.

With the final piece of the funding plan pending on the city’s ability

to contribute its share of the jointly funded project, money from

Proposition 12 is expected to finally arrive from the state April 1.

With this Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal

Protection Bond Act, more than $2 billion was to be set aside to protect

the land around lakes, river and streams; improve water quality and

ensure clean drinking water; protect forests and improve air quality;

preserve open space; protect wildlife habitats; and acquire, repair and

improve neighborhood parks.

State officials announced that approved projects, such as the pool,

may begin. The city may now cover the cost knowing the state will

reimburse the money in a few months.

The larger portion of the $1.5-million project came from the

Huntington Beach High School Foundation and the Huntington Beach Union

High School District. The city will pay an estimated $601,000.

Officials hope to break ground on the Huntington Beach High School

pool in the spring.

“If we have a dry winter and no delays, the community should be in the

water this fall,” said Sylvia Garrett, president of the Huntington Beach

High School Foundation. “We are expecting a ribbon-cutting this fall.”

Foundation officials are writing an agreement to transfer funds to the

district so the bidding process may begin as soon as possible. City staff

are also in the process of writing a funding agreement, which is expected

to go to the City Council early next month.

The goal is to have the pool built by the fall, said Tish Cook,

assistant superintendent of business services for the Huntington Beach

Union High School District.

Ocean View High School is also expecting to benefit from the funds and

will soon have a community pool built on its campus as well.