SIMI VALLEY : Aquatics Program May Move to Park

Simi Valley school officials, facing expensive pool repairs and a lack of funds, said Thursday they could be forced to move an aquatics program in the fall.

Officials are considering relocating Simi Valley High School’s program to the Sequoia Park pool, which would save the district about $53,500 annually and give officials time to apply for grants to cover about $70,000 in needed repairs.

It costs $73,500 annually to operate the high school pool, compared to an estimated $20,000 rental fee for six months, said Al Jacobs, associate superintendent of educational services.

“They can’t continue to use the pool unless repairs are made,” said board President Helen Beebe.

The 25-yard-long pool, built in 1964, is in need of replastering, a new deck, a pool cover and a new filter plumbing system. School officials say they don’t have the money to pay for the repairs.

Meanwhile, officials hope to relocate swimmers and water polo players this fall to Sequoia Park, about two miles away. A meeting between representatives of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and the school district will be scheduled.

“We would be happy to accommodate them if they could cover our costs,” said Jerry Gladden, general manager of the park district. “We try to cooperate with them. I don’t see why that wouldn’t be feasible.”

Maintenance costs for the pool from September to November are estimated to be between $8,700 and $10,000, said Jeff Anderson, administrator of recreation and leisure services for the park district, adding that it would cost slightly more to operate the pool during the winter. The park pool is usually closed during the school year.

Simi Valley High School, which has had a high turnover of swim coaches in recent years, has about 18 students on its water polo team and 35 students on the swim team, double the amount of people who participate in a similar program at Royal High School, officials said. The Simi Valley program currently lacks a regular swim coach.

“It’s not a real strong program now, but I don’t think changing pools will be a big problem,” Beebe said. “If the students are interested, it’s not that far to go.”

Royal High swim coach Steve Snyder said he is unsure what effect the possible move would have on the rival school’s program.

“It’s easiest to run when it’s on campus and from a liability standpoint, it’s better to keep it at the school,” Snyder said.