Board Approves Construction of Avalon Lifeguard Station

This week, the Board of Supervisors approved the construction contract of the new Avalon Lifeguard/Paramedic Station, providing our Department with a permanent base of operations on Catalina Island. Currently our personnel work out of a condominium shared with the volunteer Avalon Fire Department. The proposed building is a two-story, 7,005 square foot lifeguard/paramedic station to be built on City-donated land adjacent to city hall in the heart of the community. The station will feature a two-bay apparatus area for housing a paramedic truck, utility vehicle and watercraft trailers, plus an office with storage rooms and a reception area with a public Americans with Disability Act-compliant restroom. Living quarters will include a kitchen, living/dining room and dormitories for up to eight shift personnel. The new station will also be energy efficient, in accordance with the Board's Sustainable Design Program, boasting features such as a light-colored roof finish to prevent heat gain through the roof, high 12-inch thick exterior insulating walls to help regulate building temperature, windows that can be opened and shut to regulate temperature to reduce air conditioning use, high efficiency lighting fixtures and low-flow plumbing fixtures. Construction is anticipated to be completed by June 2009. (Rendering provided by Construction and Maintenance Division)