SAN DIEGO -- Work is underway to reopen the historic Mission Beach Plunge pool, which was closed in May by its bankrupt operator who claimed it was unsafe.
The Plunge is owned by the City of San Diego but run by a company called Wave House.
Earlier this month, Wave House architect Scott Bernet said crews began installing temporary stabilization measures inside the 86-year-old pool to keep debris from falling into the water. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of February.
"It takes care of the immediate issue," Bernet said. "There are still major issues with the building that need to be resolved for a long-term solution."
Wave House is bankrupt and owes its bank $17 million. Tom Lochtefeld, who owns Wave House, has already "handed over the keys" of Belmont Park and the Plunge to the city.
East West Bank is now looking with the city for a new operator. The bank is paying $200,000 for the current repairs. East West Bank did not return calls from Fox 5.
Although the historic pool, the largest indoor swim facility in Southern California, will reopen by the end of the month, it may not remain open for long. The temporary permit for people to use the pool only lasts six months. If a new park operator is not found by then, and plans are not being made on the rest of the repairs needed to make the building safer, the Plunge will close again.
"It needs to be saved," Bernet said. "It's worth it. The question is how you pay for that, what pays for that. That's been the argument all along."
On Wednesday, city spokeswoman Rachel Laing reiterated Mayor Jerry Sander's position that the Plunge should never have been closed in the first place. City officials maintain the pool is safe, and that it was up to Lochtefeld to make repairs. That is the source of litigation and bankruptcy proceedings involving both parties.
A spokesperson for the Plunge announced that it will reopen its doors on Thursday, March 1.
The Plunge is owned by the City of San Diego but run by a company called Wave House.
Earlier this month, Wave House architect Scott Bernet said crews began installing temporary stabilization measures inside the 86-year-old pool to keep debris from falling into the water. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of February.
"It takes care of the immediate issue," Bernet said. "There are still major issues with the building that need to be resolved for a long-term solution."
Wave House is bankrupt and owes its bank $17 million. Tom Lochtefeld, who owns Wave House, has already "handed over the keys" of Belmont Park and the Plunge to the city.
East West Bank is now looking with the city for a new operator. The bank is paying $200,000 for the current repairs. East West Bank did not return calls from Fox 5.
Although the historic pool, the largest indoor swim facility in Southern California, will reopen by the end of the month, it may not remain open for long. The temporary permit for people to use the pool only lasts six months. If a new park operator is not found by then, and plans are not being made on the rest of the repairs needed to make the building safer, the Plunge will close again.
"It needs to be saved," Bernet said. "It's worth it. The question is how you pay for that, what pays for that. That's been the argument all along."
On Wednesday, city spokeswoman Rachel Laing reiterated Mayor Jerry Sander's position that the Plunge should never have been closed in the first place. City officials maintain the pool is safe, and that it was up to Lochtefeld to make repairs. That is the source of litigation and bankruptcy proceedings involving both parties.
A spokesperson for the Plunge announced that it will reopen its doors on Thursday, March 1.
