Photo by Mark Savage.

A new $12M aquatic center at Westside’s Cabrillo High School officially opened this week. The project was first brought forth years ago after the passage of Measure K.

The 18-year-old high school was in dire need of expanding its physical education program as well as upping its game in competitive swimming and water polo. The aquatic center–designed by PJHM Architects, Inc. with Rowley International acting as pool consultants–features a 40-meter pool along with multiple showers, locker rooms, office spaces and bleachers that can accommodate 240 spectators.

“This aquatic center means many things to many people,” said LBUSD Board Vice President Diane Craighead, “and for the Board of Education, I can say it means now that we have equity among all our large high schools in the district.”

That equity largely means that incoming freshman interested in water sports can now choose Cabrillo, something that Co-Principal Elio Mendoza expressed.

“Having a swim and water polo team was a factor for some incoming freshmen choosing Cabrillo,” Mendoza said. “In the past, some students who wanted to compete in water sports went to other schools, even though Cabrillo may have been closer to home.”

Because there is not a public pool nearby, there are also talks of providing opportunities for community use during non-school periods, especially summer vacation. Offering basic water safety and swim lessons will be a priority. 

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