What's Happening in Encinitas, CA…

Encinitas's Moonlight Beach will have a new marine operations center soon, which should serve the community for the next 50 years.

The facility replaces a 60-year old lifeguard tower, which was torn down in 2016. Officials had hoped the new center, which has a price tag of $3.7m, would be in operation this summer, but the discovery of asbestos and lead, the heavy rains this winter, along with electrical and plumbing issues, all pushed back the completion date.

Captain Larry Giles is the head of Encinitas's marine safety division, and he said recently that he expects public safety officials, including lifeguards, to be able to start moving into the new facility at least by early November. The building exterior is almost finished, and the interior work is moving ahead rapidly. However, since it includes installing phones, computers, first aid equipment, and communications equipment, it will take some time to finish. Giles also noted the interior project employs nearly a dozen subcontractors.

The facility comprises 2,200 square feet and, in addition to marine safety officials, will be home to a substation of the sheriff's department, staging areas where marine animal rescues can be accommodated, and an observation deck on the rooftop that will allow lifeguards to keep an eye on large events, among others.

Since this project is important to all everyone, officials might consider working with a newsletter printing company to create a letter to update the city's residents.