The Fountain Valley High School swimming pool has reopened following a replacement of the school's original pool from 1966.
The project began last summer and finished with the final plastering in July, 2024.
FVHS Principal Paul Lopez said the completion of the new FVHS pool marks the end to the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s decade-long plan to upgrade all pool facilities across the district.
District officials initially estimated that it would cost $12 million to renovate the last three pools. However, replacing the Marina High School pool cost $5.7 million and $5 million was spent on the Edison High School pool. FVHS was the final school in the district to receive a new pool.
The new pool offers several new benefits and features compared to its predecessor. Since the new pool is larger, it can accommodate more swimming lanes to include both competition and warm-up lanes during swim meets. There are new blocks, lane lines, timing system and scoreboard, with a new swim records board to be installed as well. However, there will no longer be a diving area due to the new depth of the pool.
Previously, because of the pool’s size, the Barons’ water polo games could not be played at home. Now, the boys’ water polo team has kicked off its fall season in the FVHS pool. The girls’ water polo season begins in the winter. Also new are water polo floating goals, which are adjustable and provide flexibility for various practice drills.
“With the new pool, we can build aquatic programs within the school that help all of our students,” Lopez said. “It also gives our programs a chance to get involved in the community. We are just happy that the pool is done, and we have our students back in our pool at home.”
However, there are several items that are still needed for the new pool that will not be funded by HBUHSD. Chief among them are bleachers, which will cost approximately $40,000.
“We’re in old-fashioned ‘bring your own chair’ mode until we can get bleachers,” Lopez said. “The school is probably going to collaborate with the FVHS Aquatics Boosters to purchase those.”
Other elements needed for the new pool include shade for the bleachers and team areas, sheds for an office and equipment storage and a PA system for officiating games and meets. The FVHS Aquatics Boosters program is fundraising for these additional items which will cost approximately $50,000.
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