Laguna Beach board authorizes public bids for $25M pool modernization after months of planning
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Summary
Trustees voted to advertise public bids for a $25.15 million Laguna Beach High School pool modernization project after a detailed design presentation and extensive public comment. District staff said construction would be funded from reserves and facility accounts with an estimated $6.7 million state match expected later.
The Laguna Beach Unified School District board voted Sept. 11 to advertise public bids for the Laguna Beach High School pool modernization project, advancing a long-planned design that district staff and contractors estimate will cost about $25.15 million.
The board's decision followed a 3D design presentation by architect Roger Clark and a construction plan overview by CW Driver project executive David Amundsen, who reviewed the project scope, the Division of State Architect (DSA) review status and the construction delivery method. The design calls for a 45-meter-by-25-yard pool, new locker rooms, a sound wall and solar panels; the team also described flexible concession space and removable platform systems to recreate a usable shallow area for lessons.
Why it matters: The board heard from dozens of students, parents, coaches and community members who urged the trustees to move forward so the district can replace an aging pool, preserve competitive aquatic programs and reduce the risk and cost of short-term repairs. "It is vital that this pool project is to be completed as planned," said Mason Gubel, a sophomore on Laguna's water polo and swim teams.
District staff said the project would be funded from a combination of one-time general fund set-asides (about $15.6 million, including a $10 million pool set-aside), facility funds (funds 40/41/42) and that the project is eligible for roughly $6.7 million in state building program matching funds to be requested after DSA approval. Ryan Zeta, the district's project lead, told trustees that the district has approximately $56 million in cash across funds and that completing the pool would reduce available reserves to an estimated $31.5 million.
Schedule and procurement: Amundsen outlined a timetable tied to DSA plan approval: staff expects to resubmit DSA corrections in September and target final DSA approval in October; prequalification and public bidding would follow, with bids collected in December and a board contract request in January. Construction is planned to begin in 2026 with an effort to limit pool downtime to a single season. "We plan to resubmit to DSA at September and hope to have final approval by October," the architect said.
Board concern and oversight: Trustees pressed the team on schedule float, procurement lead times (elevators and major electrical gear can take about a year), contingency planning for construction escalation (3-5% annually was cited) and how flexible platforms would be used and stored. Staff said CW Driver will provide monthly status reports and that the construction manager multi-prime delivery method is intended to give the district tight oversight.
Next steps: The board approved advertising the public notice calling for bids (motion approved by voice vote reported as 5-0). Bids will be returned and publicly opened as required by the Public Contract Code, with any recommended contract awards brought back to the board for approval.
The district also noted that if it does not proceed with the project, short-term repairs to keep the existing pool health-department compliant would cost an estimated $3.6 million.
