Groups discuss pool plan

The construction of a new pool at Costa Mesa High School remains on tap, the Newport-Mesa School District said Wednesday night, despite the economy causing setbacks and some areas of ambiguity.

Representatives from the school district, the Aquatics Booster Club, parents and community members met to discuss the construction proposal, part of Measure F, and address community concerns surrounding the construction’s status.

“You’re going to come back here in a couple years and say ‘you actually built the pool,’” said Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard at the meeting. Hubbard was quick to point out the district was “hopeful, but discouraged” about selling the bond due to the slumping economy.

The night was a history lesson for many involved. Slated to handle the presentation was Deputy Supt. Paul Reed, but he was out sick.

Instead Hubbard, school board members and other district representatives presented Reed’s PowerPoint from 2006 outlining the plans and funds. The district stressed, in terms of plans, much hasn’t changed.

“Plans are already in place and moving forward to build an aquatics complex at Costa Mesa High School,” said Hubbard.

What has changed is the projected date to sell the bond that funds the construction. Initially the district intended to sell the bond in 2008-2009 school year, but that date has been delayed to 2009-2010, said district spokeswoman Laura Boss.

In addition, the pre-planning estimates of $6.5 million for construction have risen to $9.5 million due to rising costs, design additions and other variables, said District Administrative Director Facilities Support Services Tim Marsh

The reason for the delay is an economy that is out of the district’s hands. The bonds were based on assessed property value from 1979 to 2004 of an average annual growth of 7.8%, according to the presentation. From those projections, the bond was set at an expected increase of 6%. Housing trends have changed drastically since 2006 and new projections by the state Tax Assessor for Orange County are 4 to 6%, said Hubbard.

The district, and parents, will keep a watchful eye on the thin ice that is the economy. Hubbard said the worst-case scenario is the bond is sold in 2010, but he said that a major economic stumble would force the district to reevaluate a number of budget issues.

Rumors created communication issues for much of the community. Some parents at the meeting believed construction was supposed to begin in the summer of 2008 and were not pleased when they heard the sale of the bond was to be delayed.

“When we found out the bond was going to be delayed, we were very disappointed we didn’t hear it from the district,” said Susan Marty of the Aquatics Booster Club. Marty and her husband, Tom — the president of the club — helped orchestrate the meeting because of, what Marty believed, was a lack of communication.

Hubbard, school board President Martha Fluor and others attempted to stifle the misinformation and denied construction was ever planned to begin in the summer of 2008.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].