La Jolla lifeguards working in unsafe conditions are looking to relief from money a new bond trying to pass through the San Diego City Council may offer, but some well-intentioned citizens may thwart their aid.
On Tuesday, April 1, San Diego City Council President Scott Peters said he supports a private bond for La Jolla’s lifeguards, but the council did not pass the measure, said Pam Hardy, Peters’ communications director. The council president voted in favor of the bond, which would help lifeguards get emergency money for several La Jolla stations that are in a state of disrepair, but it failed, 5-3, Hardy said. It needed six votes to pass. The council will hear the bond item again on April 22, she said.
Lifeguards working at three stations ” The Children’s Pool, La Jolla Shores and the Cove ” recently said building conditions deteriorated, making their jobs hazardous. All three towers are in line for renovation or rebuilding, but community members have conflicted with lifeguards throughout the design process, Peters said. Carol duPont, a La Jolla Shores resident, said the tower designs need more work and should conform to other new construction.
“The white bathroom [at La Jolla Shores] that looks like White Castle Hamburgers should be torn down,” duPont said. “And the area they’re going to move the new lifeguard tower to is underwater [during heavy storms] and there are going to be sewage leaks.”
Weeks ago, city authorities closed the Children’s Pool main station after years of watching the walls crumble. Now, the guards work from trailers and under umbrellas. Lifeguards said dangerous incidents are occurring at other La Jolla stations, including a sewer pipe that broke and splashed a lifeguard, and toxic gas leaking from a heater. Although lifeguards said they were glad the Children’s Pool station was finally condemned “” a type of emotional closure “” some had fears the city wouldn’t act quickly enough to rebuild, especially during the current fiscal crisis.
“The Children’s Pool is in the most difficult condition. The community and lifeguards have not been able to come to a resolution,” Peters said, explaining that the planning group finally voted to pass the lifeguard design months ago. “I’ve been encouraging them to move that along “¦ Now, because of the condition at the Children’s Pool, that situation is more critical.”
Peters said the private bond “” a public facilities bond “” proposed by Mayor Jerry Sanders will give the Children’s Pool lifeguard station $2.8 million to finish the design and begin construction. The bond will give $3.8 million to the station at La Jolla Shores for construction.
“It’s pretty good news ” a private placement bond at a good interest rate if it is paid back before two years,” he said.
But not everyone agrees with Peters. DuPont said she appreciates the lifeguards but is apprehensive.
“Anything that costs $1,000 a square foot in today’s market is astronomical,” duPont said. “Scott Peters condemned the Children’s Pool lifeguard tower … I’m not saying they don’t need something, just not at $1,000 a square foot. Just like the parking meters. It just doesn’t make sense.”
DuPont wrote a two-page rebuttal to the La Jolla Shores design (see page 8), which she said does not conform to the rest of Kellogg Park. She asked for renovation of the existing tower. La Jolla Shores is the project furthest along in the process.
Meanwhile, lifeguard Lt. John Greenhalgh, of San Diego Fire Rescue Department, said he hopes the bond is passed and that construction can get started.
“We’re hoping [the bond] gets approved and that it will be a source of optimism for the lifeguards,” Greenhalgh said. “We hope the community understands the need for these facilities.”
Although the measure was not passed, Peters’ office said the council will hear the measure again on April 22.
For more information, visit www.sandiegogov.com.