WOODLAND HILLS : Group Seeks to Keep Pierce Pool Open

About a dozen west San Fernando Valley swimmers have formed a group to encourage Pierce College administrators to keep the school’s swimming pool open year-round instead of eventually closing it, as some have recommended.

Friends of Pierce Pool got together earlier this month to discuss the Woodland Hills-based college’s plans for the facility. School officials said they may open the 10-lane, competition-quality pool for the summer within a couple of weeks, but that long-term plans are less certain. The pool has been closed for repairs since Thanksgiving.

“We’re concerned that they may open the pool and then close it again, which we think is unnecessary,” said Harald Johnson, president of the group. “There are plenty of ways the pool could make money, and we are willing to help explore the possibilities.”

Donald Love, vice president of administration, said that with the school already dropping 130 classes in the fall due to budget cuts, Pierce may not be able to keep the outdoor pool open during the cooler winter and spring months. The facility, which a decade ago brought revenue to the school by holding swim meets, lessons and community events, costs an estimated $100,000 a year to maintain, including heating, lifeguards and other staff, he said.

Dave Bush, building and grounds administrator, said the pool, built in the late 1970s, needs about $60,000 more in repairs and may need to be permanently closed. “We need donations or some other income because I don’t believe we have the maintenance funds to keep it going,” Bush said.

To Friends of Pierce Pool, “that’s not an option,” Johnson said. “I think their estimate of how much it costs to operate the pool is way too high, and I don’t think they have a positive feeling for the pool or that they are particularly interested in personal fitness.”

The group plans to meet again to discuss a possible petition drive and other ways to pressure Pierce to keep its pool open. “They are a community college and I think they need to recognize their place in the community,” Johnson said.