Whether by Mirage or Necessity, City Leaders See Pools Everywhere from the Boeing Parking Lot to the Golf Course

The city’s search for a new community pool has expanded to include potential sites in nearly every corner of the city from Old Town to College Park East.

Six potential sites for a new pool to replace the 40-year-old community pool at McGaugh Elementary School include Zoeter Field and the 13th hole of the Old Ranch Golf Course. However, of the six sites identified by the city, each has its pros and cons, said Sean Crumby, the city’s director of public works. Hurdles include toxic contamination and multi-million dollar purchase prices for the land. But perhaps the biggest challenge will be reaching a community consensus.

“Not any of these sites makes the most ideal site,” said Interim City Manager Patrick Importuna.

However, the city has spent too much time looking at only two locations, he added. Until recently, the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station was a primary target for a new pool, but the prospect posed some security and logistical challenges for the weapons station.

The city’s six potential sites include:

1. Zoeter Park on 12th Street: The city already owns this 3-acre park, which is big enough for a pool, facilities and parking. It’s also close enough to the old pool, and is easily accessible from PCH or by bus. However, the city would have to give up Old Town’s only baseball field, displacing the adult baseball league—not a popular proposal, said Councilman Gordon Shanks.
2. Marina Park on First Street: This 4.5-acre parcel is eligible for Proposition 84 grant money, and it is large enough to house a pool, aquatics programs, and other needed community facilities such as a senior center, said Crumby. However, two oil companies currently own it, and the ground is contaminated from decades of old oil processing. A large active park would also create noise and lighting issues for the neighboring Bridgeport community.
3. The corner of First Street and PCH: This vacant 3.2-acre parcel is easily accessible, would anchor the city’s border with Long Beach and can be incorporated with the adjacent river bike trail. However, the property is owned by the State Lands Commission and is subject to coastal development approval.
4. The end of Adolfo Lopez Drive: This vacant hodgepodge of parcels is already owned by the city, but it only adds up to .7 acres. While it is easily accessible and close to the police department and city maintenance yard, it is next to a wetland and requires Coastal Commission approval. Also, extensive utility networks would have to be relocated.
5. Boeing Parking Lot on Westminster Boulevard: This 3.8-acre lot is easily accessible, especially for the Leisure World Community. It’s large enough to facilitate aquatics programs and it wouldn’t have residential neighbors to be impacted by noise, lighting or traffic issues. However, Boeing owns the land. Instead of buying the land, the city could consider a long-term lease agreement with Boeing, suggested City Councilwoman Ellery Deaton.
6. The Old Ranch Golf Course: A pool on 1.1 acres of golf course land off Lampson Avenue would enhance recreation opportunities on the east end of the city and is easily accessible. It also presents partnership opportunities with the country club. However, it is owned by the golf course, and a pool would eliminate the 13th hole.

While Seal Beach could be years away from actually building a new pool, the city has budgeted $5 million for the project. In the meantime, the city should consider one more alternative, said City Councilman Gary Miller.

Why not spend the money to repair and modernize the community pool at McGaugh, he suggested.