Reconstruction of the Fountain Valley High School pool began over the 2023 summer break, and the project is expected to be complete by June 2024.
The Huntington Beach Union High School District approved reconstruction of the pools at each school in the district, and the FVHS pool is the last to be completed.
Workers cemented the pool Nov. 29, marking the completion of another step in the reconstruction. FVHS Principal Paul Lopez said the project is about one-fourth complete as of that date.
Previously, the FVHS pool was actually two pools: a 12-foot-deep diving well that the water polo teams practiced in, and a 4-foot-deep pool that the swim team practiced in. These previous aquatic facilities posed challenges to the teams because of their small size, and they did not meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
However, after the reconstruction is complete, a single, larger pool will allow the water polo teams to have more space to practice drills and plays, and the swim team will have more practice lanes. The diving side of the pool will also be deeper and have less risk of injury for the swim team.
“I’m excited for the pool to be built, and I think it will really boost our team,” junior Leyna Nguyen, a member of the swim team, said. “I think the pool is good motivation for everyone, but right now, though, I’m a bit worried about how it’s going to work without a pool.”
While the pool is under construction, the girls’ and boys’ water polo teams are practicing at Marina High School, and the swim team is practicing at Edison High School.