The campus pool is slated to close from March 1 to Aug. 1. During that, aquatic sports, swimming lessons and the Malibu and Pepperdine community will be forced to find practice locations elsewhere.
The University Management Committee announced the renovation plans in December, and the new pool will boast a new deck, interior finish, lighting and a new hot tub, according to the Center for Sustainability’s Rhiannon Bailard. The renovations are separate from the Campus Life Project which was given the green light by the Coastal Commission earlier this semester.
“Our coaches have told us about the pool renovations, but as of right now we still don’t know where we will be practicing. From what I’ve heard, the possibilities are Malibu High School and Oaks Christian,” said junior water polo player Ray McIntyre in December.
The refurbishment project is a state- and federally-mandated replacement of the main drain line under the pool, while also fixing different components of the pool’s infrastructure that have recently failed. The entire process will take approximately five months, where construction will also focus on any desired upgrades and improvements.
While the renovations are necessary for the stability and functionality of the pool, it presents a large issue for teams that have daily practices in preparation for the next season. In addition to three-hour practices, water polo players will have to consider a 30-60 minute round trip commute to their schedules around classes.
“I’m also apprehensive about the quality of the pool we end up at. Not all high schools have large pools like ours. Training in a smaller, narrower pool could negatively impact our gameplay,” Ray said.
The pool also employs about 20 students with lifeguard certifications that will have to find employment somewhere else. The only lifeguarding positions available will require a commute to the Malibu high school or Sherman Oaks pools where the employees will potentially be relocated.
“My concern is that swimming has become a part of my life and my routine. Its something I can do to relieve stress and have fun, and also be healthy,” said senior Natalia Barragan, who has been a lifeguard at the pool since her freshman year. “I know that a lot of people integrate our pool at Pepperdine into their daily routines and it’s going to affect everyone when it closes.”
Students who frequently use the pool for workouts or enjoy a leisurely daytime swim will have to adjust to the renovations as well and change their usual schedules.
“Being my senior year, it really hits home because I’ve been in that pool a large majority of my college career and I won’t be able to end my last year at Pepperdine with it,” said Barragan.
However, not all of the reconstruction projects have students feeling annoyed or even concerned. Pepperdine is also working toward for the highly anticipated Campus Life Project, which passed on Dec. 13, by the County of Los Angeles and California Coastal Commission.
Initial plans for the major revamp began 20 years ago and has since become an evolved, sophisticated development plan that will soon commence.
According to Pepperdine’s Public Relations office, the new project includes construction plans for “new student recreation areas, structures for accessible parking and other uses and an athletic/events center.”
“Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a development plan that includes an updated traffic management program and requires downward-directed outdoor lighting,” wrote Knowles Adkisson and Melissa Caskey from The Malibu Times in December.
With plans for major renovations underway, Pepperdine will soon be several steps closer to achieving their dream and vision for the university.
