City To Discuss Pride Lifeguard Tower At West Street Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The lifeguard tower at West Street Beach may get a lot more colorful in the coming months, as Laguna Beach City Council members discuss whether or not to approve Pride artwork for the tower at their Tuesday meeting.

The discussion comes after nonprofit Laguna Beach Pride reached out to the city to ask that council members consider approving "Pride Rainbow Artwork" for the tower, a city staff report said.

Though the proposed rainbow design for the artwork has not been revealed by the city as of Tuesday afternoon, the piece is meant to "symbolize diversity and unity for the LGBTQIA+ community."

According to the staff report, the cosmetic consideration for the lifeguard tower comes after the City of Laguna Beach was given ownership of all South Laguna beaches by Orange County.

West Street Beach is one of the six lifeguard towers that the city will take ownership of come March 1.

To offset costs for the design, Laguna Beach residents Steve Chadima and Mark Porterfield put up a donation of $10,000 to help fund the artwork.

If approved by Laguna Beach City Council members, the city will also appropriate $10,000 with a matching increase in revenues to modify the lifeguard tower, the staff report said.

Laguna Beach City Council members meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave. To access the agenda, click here.