LAGUNA BEACH : School, City in the Swim at New Pool

The new Laguna Beach High School swimming pool, the city’s only community pool, was officially dedicated on Friday and will open to the public today.

Part of a larger high school renovation project, the city has been without a pool for 18 months, meaning residents seeking a swim last summer had to take a dip in the ocean or drive six miles to the YMCA pool in Laguna Niguel.

The school’s water polo team, which put on a demonstration Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, has for the past 1 1/2 years practiced in Laguna Hills. Despite the inconvenience, the team advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs in November.

“Obviously, it’s been a challenge for our water polo team,” Principal Barbara Callard said before Friday’s ceremony. “The kids really deserve a medal for sticking to the program and doing as well as they did. They will be the official first group to be back in the pool.”

Callard said the opening of the heated 75-by-82-foot pool gives her hope that the disruptive larger remodeling project--which includes the construction of new classrooms and the renovation of the school’s theater--may soon end.

The tentative completion date for $13-million project is mid-April. SchoolPower, the district’s fund-raising arm, and the Capital Campaign, a private fund-raising organization, are helping to pay for the project.

Construction of the pool, at Park Avenue and Manzanita Drive, is a joint project of the school district and the city at a cost of $1.3 million.

The pool, which features two diving boards and an attached wading pool, will be open for lap swimming from 7:30 to 9 a.m. today and for recreational swimming from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The charge is $2 for a “drop-by” swim, or an annual pool pass can be purchased at the city’s recreation department for $100. Half-year passes good from June through December cost $60. Children under 2 are admitted free.

The city also will offer special pool-related classes as part of its winter recreation program. For more information, call (714) 497-0716.