District takes the plunge with plans for Anaheim High pool

Anaheim High School is known as the Jewel of the Colony and for a long time the campus pool helped it shine. For more than 70 years, the .pool was a vital part of the school and community. Throughout the school year, kids competed in water sports and bonded as teammates. In the summer, residents learned how- to swim. Larry Larsen, a 1964 graduate of Anaheim High School, remembers earning as an 8-year-old a Red Cross junior lifesaver certificate in that pool. When he became a Colonist, he d watch swim meets and after football practice, he and his teammates would jump in to cool off. It was a very active pool, Larsen, 70 said. Up until it wras condemned Neglect and poor maintenance led to the Anaheim Union School District in 2007 to condemning the pool. The facility was sealed off and alumni started fundraising to Bring back the splash. But over several years only about $50,000 was collected. We knew' that there was no way unless a very weaise enough money to rebuild that pool, said Larsen, a founding member of the Anaheim High S