I am writing this as a Hail Mary in hopes of achieving a pause in the approval of plans for a new Nordhoff High School swimming pool.
I happily agreed to be a part of the NHS Pool Committee, along with regional YMCA management with whom I have been working since 2018 regarding bringing a Y facility into Ojai. Early on, it became evident that the community needs for this pool were not being given equal consideration.
Although I understand the urgency of NHS swim and water polo coaches to have a functional pool ASAP, I feel we owe it to the community as a whole to get this right!
It stands to reason that a project of this magnitude demands that the community be given an opportunity to express their opinions on the type of programs and facility they envision. Why has such a survey not been ordered?
Posting a survey on Facebook and on the OUSD website is a poor substitute. We all know that most of the underserved families in the valley are unlikely to take an online survey or visit the OUSD website.
In reading the description for Measure K, it clearly states that funds would be used to replace the 60-year-old NHS pool with an AQUATICS CENTER. It does not say that the pool will allow for SOME community access. A 35-meter pool will not allow for the kind and amount of community access that those who voted for this bond are hoping for.
I believe that this bond is providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for OUSD to work with the city and other community organizations to explore additional funding sources to allow for a 50-meter pool and perhaps even a two-pool complex.
There have been several other attempts to get a pool complex through the city over the years, but with seed money from Measure K providing a solid foundation on which to start, perhaps this dream can become a reality — if the community pulls together. In fact, Ojai City Council members have expressed interest in just such an alliance.
OUSD Board members are tasked with getting this right. Please consider pausing this project long enough to get a proper survey completed and long enough to explore additional funding opportunities to achieve an Aquatics Center all of Ojai will be proud of.
