Team Deserves Aid at Sink-or-Swim Time : Mission Viejo’s Famous Nadadores Rate a Helping Hand but Not a Complete Bailout

The long-range plans of a development company to ease out of the management of a city it built does not ordinarily command a great deal of attention. But one institution that would be affected by such a move in Mission Viejo, the Nadadores swim club, is more than a local source of pride and community identity, which are important enough.

It’s also a national treasure. Its team members have included the likes of diver Greg Louganis, and it has to its credit 13 Olympic gold medals and 40 or so U.S. and world records. The decision by the Mission Viejo Co. to withdraw support for the team after the 1992 Olympics was part of an overall plan to unload four recreation centers in the city, but it has prompted a flurry of concern about the future of the swim club.

The decision last week by the city to accept a surprise offer from the developer to trade the four recreation centers for an office building clarified the issue somewhat. The question of ownership of the aquatic complex now used by the club has been answered--provided that a way can be found to maintain and operate it. But important decisions still remain.

Obviously, a club that is so closely associated with the identity and success of its city makes an understandable claim on some commitment of municipal resources. But these are especially tight times for all municipalities. Mayor Robert A. Curtis recognizes the public relations value of the Nadadores but makes it clear that he wants the club to support itself. And the city has basically taken the position that it will sell the aquatic complex used by the club if the Nadadores are unable to go it alone financially.

The question now is whether the club will be successful in a plan to establish a foundation and obtain a commitment of private money. It would be ideal if the city could retain ownership of the complex but have the club bring in the necessary money for operation and maintenance. Otherwise, a consultant’s study done for the city shows, the club could cost taxpayers $477,000 annually.

However, this is not a great time to be going to the corporate community for gifts, and there are plans for a drive to enlist major corporate sponsors.

But the city might also be able to help financially with this effort in some small way--provided that it is not stuck picking up the tab for the entire operation.

For such an important venture, the appropriate response for the city will be to offer a helping hand, but not a complete bailout.