School Sinkhole Fixed; Other Projects Possible

There will be no more jokes about yachting lessons at Whittier Elementary School.

A large sinkhole in the school’s playground that spilled over with water during rainy months has been filled by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, and the city of Costa Mesa will consider pitching in to make sure that “Lake Whittier” does not reappear.

City Manager Allan L. Roeder said the city will consider upgrading the playing fields at Whittier, including a new irrigation system, as part of its budget negotiations that begin this week.

Roeder said the city has targeted the playing fields at Whittier to be leveled and reseeded because they are in poor condition and because there are no other parks in the neighborhood where children can play.

“This would be wonderful if this happens,” Principal Juan de Jesus said. Parents and teachers have raised some money to buy new playground equipment, he said, but more land improvements are needed before the equipment can be installed.

A second school site, the former Davis Intermediate School, now used primarily as an adult education center, also might get city funds to improve its athletic fields.

Both projects are included in a preliminary budget to be presented to the City Council at 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive. Information: (714) 754-5225.