Coastal Commission approves new junior lifeguards HQ for Newport Beach

A rendering of the new Junior Lifeguards building. With a recent conditional approval from the Coastal Commission, the new $4.9-million junior lifeguards headquarters in Newport Beach, first approved by the City Council last year, inches closer to construction. Graham Harvey, chair of the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Foundation, said during public comments at the Coastal Commission meeting that organizers raised close to $2 million for the new headquarters. Harvey said the headquarters would “provide a safe and sanitary facility for 1,600 junior lifeguards and over 55 staff members who will utilize it every year.” Newport Beach resident and planning commissioner Erik Weigand also offered his support for the project during public comments. Not just for Newport Beach residents, but the surrounding communities, as there are a significant amount of folks that come to junior lifeguards from surrounding communities as well,” Weigand said.