Students, residents renew push for Hermosa Beach public pool; request referral to Parks & Rec

Several residents and student athletes urged the Hermosa Beach City Council on June 24 to begin planning for a public swimming pool, saying a municipal pool would broaden access to swim lessons, team practice and safety training. Speakers asked the council to refer the matter to the Parks and Recreation Commission for study and to authorize a resident-led advisory group to work with staff.

Chloe Hirsch, introduced by a pool advocacy group as “Hermosa Valley’s outstanding eighth grader and student athlete,” told the council, “A public pool would give everyone, especially kids and families, a safe place to learn and practice.” Hirsch described limited access to surrounding pools and said a city pool would serve swim lessons, junior lifeguards, recreation and jobs for teens.

Longtime resident and advocate Jeff Ogan told the council he supports forming partnerships with neighboring cities and private partners. Ogan urged the council to refer the project to Parks & Rec, launch a resident advisory committee and assign staff to shape an initial plan. He said the petition for a pool had “over a thousand signatures” and argued the facility could generate revenue and community benefits.

Advocates asked only for referral and planning action, not for funding or a location at the June 24 meeting. Council members did not take immediate budgetary action; several members said Parks and Rec work and a formal community process would be the appropriate next steps.

Ending

Speakers asked the council to keep the conversation moving; they offered to take on much of the organizing work and requested that staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission begin discussions.