Citizens to Decide Future of Natatorium

For the first time in 20 years, the Culver City Unified School District's Board of Education is considering plans that will allow the community to decide what happens with the Culver City Natatorium.

Inspired by 1991's revitalization of downtown Culver City, CCUSD Board president Steven Gourley is dreaming of an event slated for this fall that allows the public to see the empty space and submit ideas for improvement.

"There may be some very creative ideas from the community," Gourley said. "Rather than tearing it down and making it a multi-use room--as been proposed at one point or another--I would like to hear what the neighbors, teachers and students have to say."

Since the Natatorium closed in 1991, Culver City High School swim coach Nestor Dordoni has been forced to hold team practices elsewhere, relying on parental support to keep the program going.

"We are gypsies–parents have driven their kids to Westwood, Inglewood, Morningside, Dorothy, Loyola Marymount," Dordoni said. "Later, we were able to get a bus, but we are just guests in these pools."

Today, the aquatic teams practice at The Plunge for two hours in the afternoon, a venue seven blocks from the school. However, other schools often practice in the morning, three to four hours in the afternoon, and on Saturdays, according to Dordoni.

"Sometimes we cannot compete with them, but at least we have water," he said.

Before the budget crisis that forced closure on the swimming facility, Dordoni said the Natatorium was the life of the school: "The pool was being used 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Early in the morning and after school, the community could come and swim. It was an excellent program."

By 1991, the Natatorium--which was constructed in 1964--needed repairs and maintenance. Due to the recession that swept through California, the board decided to close the facility instead of repair it. 

Continual lack of funds has kept the facility dormant.

"They are firing teachers--why are they going to open a pool? It's very simple--this is why I gave up.  I agree with keeping teachers," Dordoni said.

Based upon previous estimates, revitalizing the space would cost nearly $2 million with an annual upkeep of $300,000—and not all are fans of bringing the pool back to Culver City High School.

According to Board of Education member Kathy Paspalis, the budget accommodates for the remodel fee, but maintaining a pool is "cost- prohibitive" and "impractical" given the current budget crisis.

"In all likelihood, it will not become a Natatorium again," she said.  "We want to make sure we can maintain it, otherwise what's the point?

"We need to look at how we can best use it for the large multi-purpose room, conference rooms, classrooms. Perhaps there will be community organizations that will rent it out from us and that rental money can be used as a revenue stream."

Statements like this, despite Gourley's idea to accept proposals in favor of a new aquatic facility, make Dordoni question the board's sincerity.

"I don't believe what they said. They will not open it as a natatorium; it's impossible. Impossible," he said.  "We fought, we fought, we fought all these years, but it never did anything for the Natatorium.  If they want to plan something, that's good, but I don't believe them."

The high school also needs a space for testing, dances, and other large-scale activities, which competes with those who want to bring the pool back, said . 

Regardless of these needs, Chabola reiterated that he'd rather the space be restored as an aquatic facility, despite monetary implications.

"I'm in the minority," Chabola said. "It would be a money maker if it wasn't a pool, but as an athletic director, coach, and teacher, I can see so many positive things happening if it were a swimming pool. However, it's not going to be something other people are very excited about for sure."

Previous school boards have brought up the issue of revitalization, but "tabled it" before voting, according to Chabola. "I don't know what they'll actually do this time," he said.

The decaying Natatorium is a grotesque skeleton in the school district's otherwise well-kept closet.  Although we were not allowed inside the run-down facility, other publications report the room is littered with pigeon droppings, old supplies, and large cylinders that collect moisture from the ceiling.

"It has become a junk container for everyone in the schools to put their stuff they might want to use again but never do," Gourley said. "We've basically got a big ugly hole at the school district.

 "We can't just keep driving by it."