Laguna council considers leasing access to LBUSD's new 45-meter pool rather than building a city facility

Council and staff discussed the city's options for providing community aquatics programs after the Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) moved forward with a 45-meter pool plan. City staff reported that the district has told the city it is open to a rental arrangement: instead of a percentage-based operating partnership, the district proposed a rental model based on the hours the city programs would use the facility.

City staff said the rental model could be less costly than the city building and operating a separate municipal pool and would meet most of the city's program needs, with the possible exception of some youth-specific programs (commenters flagged youth water polo). Staff noted the district had not provided a long-term lease term at the workshop; staff said they would pursue formal negotiations and return with a proposed agreement for council consideration.

Several public speakers urged the council to avoid ambiguity by clarifying whether the city will build its own pool or partner with the district. Community members emphasized that uncertainty can delay needed improvements or increase project costs. Staff recommended the council direct city staff to pursue a written lease or rental agreement with LBUSD and provide council direction before initiating a separate municipal pool design process.