READERS RESPOND

THE ISSUE: About $600,000 has been raised so far for new aquatics

complex, but project will cost $1.5 million.

The Take the Plunge Campaign has been a major focus of the Huntington

Beach High School Foundation for more than two years because aquatic

students have been shuttled and bused from school to school on a daily

basis since 1991, when the pool was closed as part of a series of budget

cuts.

There has been no swimming for regular physical education, or

strengthening and conditioning in any sport. The once-thriving aquatic

program dwindled to almost nonexistence, and the district was begged to

find some way to reopen the pool.

To correct this situation ... aquatic boosters asked the Huntington Beach

High School Foundation to join efforts in 1997 to raise $400,000 to

refurbish the existing pool with new heating and filtration equipment,

and cosmetic repair to the pool surface. Meeting with district officials

led to the fact that the refurbished pool would not meet the standards

for competitive high school water polo, diving, or swim meets. The pool

would have to be widened on three sides, and the depth would have to be

altered.

The Huntington Beach Union High School District was reticent to undertake

the project, which would result in higher maintenance costs. Cost of

renovations and alterations: $600,000. The Huntington Beach High School

Foundation raised the $600,000 needed.

Discussion with the Community Services Department showed the advantages

of opening the pool to the community for recreational use, lifeguard

instruction, and conditioning for Police and Fire departments. Multiple

use requires renovation and upgrades for shower facilities, locker rooms,

handicap access, ramps and equipment for Americans with Disabilities Act

improvements, renovations to the parking lot, and new fencing. A

collective decision was made by all interested groups to maximize the

space available and create the best aquatic facility for the schools and

the community through a shared-use agreement. Total cost of added

features: $1.5 million.

The combined use created a partnership between the Huntington Beach High

School Foundation, the Huntington Beach Union High School District and

the city of Huntington Beach. Parents, students, alumni, local

businesses, the Community Services Commission and the state Assembly all

recognized the need to raise these funds, and met and exceeded the goal

in August by raising $634,000.

This leaves a remaining balance of $450,000 for each of the other two

partners. With the success that has been demonstrated, why is the school

district so hesitant to fund the project for completion? Why, now that

the recent school bond attempt is past us, does the school district not

use a portion of the revenue that they have been accumulating for

matching state funds and from developer fees? Why does the Huntington

Beach Union High School District say they want to provide the best for

our students and not want to finish this project?