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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - Proposal for a Permanent Junior Lifeguard Training and Community CenterOctober 26, 1998 Item No. 13 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 construction 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 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 19. partnerships are not routinely attempted or guaranteed successful, the fund- 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.