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Politics & Government

Refurbished Lifeguard Tower Now In Operation

The newly remodeled lifeguard tower near Scripps Institution of Oceanography is expected to improve safety in the area.

Lifeguards overseeing the north end of are now stationed in a remodeled lookout tower, replacing its 50-year-old, retro-era predecessor.

The remodeled lifeguard tower was presented to members of the community and the press by and San Diego city officials Thursday.

The tower’s improvements follow the recent UCSD-funded , part of the broader goal “to improve safety of the UC San Diego community,” said UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. 

“This lifeguard tower isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about improving safety on our beaches,” said San Diego Councilwoman Sherri Lightner.

Lifeguards now look through glare-resistant glass as they scan the surf for endangered swimmers and have an amplified public address system that acts as a “force multiplier,” allowing lifeguards to extend their influence of safety, said Rick Wurts, lifeguard chief for San Diego Fire-Rescue.

The tower’s restoration was a joint effort by UC San Diego, Safdie Rabines Architects and Sundt Construction, which donated architectural and construction services to transform the old, termite-damaged tower.

In addition to being an example of community collaboration, the tower has several environmentally sustainable features, according to Fox.

A solar water-heating system, the use of recycled wood, teak wood from renewable sources and materials resistant to corrosion make the new tower a “green” structure, according to Brian Gregory, assistant vice chancellor for Resource Management at UCSD.

UCSD asked the lifeguards what they needed to improve safety, said Wurts, who added that the new tower has already played a part in a rescue.

Recently, a mother and her three children were playing in the shallow water when an 8-year-old was caught in a rip current.

A lifeguard in the tower recognized the worsening situation early on and dispatched a lifeguard who pulled the child to safety. Within a short time, the child was back on the beach.

After recent increases in funding, training for such rescues is now being conducted using physical teaching techniques instead of computer-based training, which was implemented due to budget cutbacks, according to Lightner.  

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“I think you will be very impressed by the statistics you will hear later,” Lightner said.

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