The existing La Jolla Lifeguard station. Photo by Michelle Moward.
It’s one of those perennial problems during economic hard times. One community is chosen for a new addition to its infrastructure while other communities are not. And those communities left out are left only with complaints.
It’s happened again.
Groundbreaking for a new lifeguard station in La Jolla occurred on November 22nd at LJ’s Kellogg Park. A new state-of-the-art station for lifeguards will be built that encompasses 1485 square feet, a 270 degree view from a new “observation tower”, and includes rooms for first aid, men and women’s locker rooms, staff room and administration rooms as part of the mix. The existing structure will be demolished but lifeguards will be able to use the current facility until the new building is completed in December 2011.
Supposedly, one of the reasons the La Jolla station is being replaced with a single-story building has been complaints from local residents that it blocked their views of the ocean.
Ocean Beach also has an old lifeguard station at the foot of Santa Monica which was constructed in the Sixties – it also needs replacement. It’s public restrooms are notoriously horrible plus there are no rooms for bathers to sit and dress. Yet, all Ocean Beach is getting is a new restroom at the foot of Brighton Avenue on the beach – which will not be ready until next Spring. The only reason this is happening is because of roof damage to the previous restroom.
OB Lifeguard station, circa 1965 ?
Are there any plans out there for replacing OB’s station?
Supposedly, the La Jolla new station was 7 years in the planning. The $3.8 million project will include upgrades to Kellogg Park that call for the removal of 18,000 square feet of asphalt to be replaced with permeable pavers, that will improve drainage, plus new landscaping and curb ramps.
Some of the reasons that La Jolla gets a new one and OB doesn’t are the obvious ones: La Jolla is a larger, wealthier community, and as such its needs ring louder down at City Hall than OB’s wind chimes do.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Because money always attracts money.
Cost of project $3,800,00
Less: asphalt removal (180,000) est $10 per sq. foot
Less: cost of pavers (252,000) est $14 per sq. foot
Less: cost of design etc. (150,000) number out of the sky
Less: landscaping (50,000) another guess
Less: curb ramps (50,000) pick a number
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Balance 3,118,000 / 1,485 sq. ft = $2,100 cost per sq. ft.
Somebody’s making a fortune!
OB’s getting a cadilac toilet… what more do you want?
Priorities are misguided or what?
I’m going with…what!
Perhaps some one should contact Mr. Falconer. He certainly should be asking for one and have the answers to the questions you raise.
PB got a new one a few years ago too. I guess OB is next