HomeMy WebLinkAbout20 - Proposal for a Permanent Junior Lifeguard Training and Community CenterOctober 26, 1998
Item No. 13
CON7 CK MUM
• TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Timothy Riley, Fire and Marine Chief
SUBJECT: Proposal for a Permanent Junior Lifeguard Training and
Community Center
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to continue to explore the feasibility of constructing a permanent
Junior Lifeguard/ Community Center near Balboa Park through a joint
public /private fund - raising program, or
Provide staff with alternate direction, or
Receive and file this staff report.
BACKGROUND:
At the September 28,1998, City Council meeting, Council Member Noyes
requested an in -house study on the feasibility of constructing a permanent junior
Lifeguard training facility, through a public /private partnership, upon the
• existing temporary site. This report is designed to provide the City Council with
some preliminary information from which to determine if this concept is worthy
of additional consideration and staff investigation.
The Junior Lifeguard program started in 1977 and has since swelled to
accommodate over 1,100 participants each summer, ranging from 9 to 15 years of
age. Recognized as one of the most popular summer programs available in the
Newport Beach community, it enjoys great support from program parents and
community leaders. Our Junior Lifeguard graduation ceremony boasts attendance
in excess of 2,000 people every year. These last few statements are offered as a
broad brush assumption that this program will be around for many years to come
The program currently operates from a double -wide portable trailer, 20 feet in
width and 40 feet in length. They have space for a small classroom and a small
office. The trailers are brought in and installed each May and removed to a storage
area each October at a cost of $400 per one -way trip. These trailers were acquired
in 1980 and are starting to show excessive wear and tear commensurate with their
age. There are no restroom or changing facilities. Program participants and staff
must use the public restroom located adjacent to the base of the Balboa Pier,
approximately 100 yards to the west. There also is no storage space. During the
off- season, Junior Lifeguard training props and supplies are stored in garages at
the Balboa Yacht Basin and Lifeguard Headquarters. During the summer, we
bring in a large storage container and place it next to the trailers. •
CONCEPT:
A permanent facility would provide a lasting contribution to the Balboa area. The
Junior Lifeguard program is but only one of many potential uses of a facility near
the Balboa Pier. Other possible uses could include community association
meetings, youth groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, public education
or recreation classes sponsored by the Community Services Department,
community education programs put on by the Police and /or Fire and Marine
Departments, etc. Should a permanent facility become a reality, staff would
propose a multi - purpose, durable constriction building that would include:
• A building of masonry construction to blend in with the current
construction adjacent to the Balboa Pier and Park.
• The facility would include a large, multi - purpose room to
accommodate between 100 and 200 persons classroom style.
• A male and female restroom, accessible from both inside and
outside of the facility. •
• Outside beach showers for Junior Lifeguard participants.
• A Junior Lifeguard staff office area, first aid facility, and locker
room.
• A storage area, accessible from both inside and outside of the
facility, to accommodate Junior Lifeguard training props and
supplies as well as tables and chairs for use in a community
center environment.
The Public Works Department has reviewed the above mentioned requirements
and estimates a building approximately 6,000 square feet in size. The cost to
construct such a facility would, at an estimated $200 per square foot, be $1,200,000.
FUNDING SOURCES:
Council member Noyes suggested that the City could act as an agent to develop a
public /private partnership campaign to encourage supporters of the Junior
Lifeguard program as well as other private and corporate benefactors to
contribute to the development of such a building. While these types of
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partnerships are not routinely attempted or guaranteed successful, the fund-
in raising success of the Newport Beach Central Library proves that it can be done. If
directed to do so, staff would establish a committee of interested citizens who,
with staff assistance, would develop and carry -out a fund - raising campaign that
would target community service groups, corporate donations, foundation grants,
past and present junior lifeguard program supporters, and other private
contributors. In addition to these contributions, staff could develop a Capital
Improvement Project that would balance private contributions with City revenues
to the degree the City Council directed or donations required.
NEXT STEPS:
Should the City Council wish to continue to explore this concept, staff would
recommend the following next steps:
1. Contact the staff of the Coastal Commission to determine the
feasibility of such a project under the California Coastal Act.
2. Develop a committee of interested citizens to investigate
potential sponsorships and /or available grant funds to support this
project.
• 3. Host a series of community meetings throughout Newport Beach
to introduce the concept and obtain feedback from Newport Beach
citizens and businesspersons.
4. Conduct a sampled survey of Newport Beach citizens and
businesses to determine the level of support for this project.
5. Report back to the City Council with a follow -up feasibility staff
report.
•
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