Public invited to weigh in on marine safety center at Moonlight Beach

Residents are invited to weigh in on plans to replace the aging Moonlight Beach lifeguard tower with a new, 2,150-square-foot marine safety center.

The meeting, part of the permitting process for the center, will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 29 at City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Ave.

Lifeguards say the current lifeguard tower is afflicted by concrete and termite damage, along with a leaky roof. It’s also too small to support lifeguard operations.

The center, according to plans, will include a first aid room, locker room facilities, observation areas, a sheriff’s desk space and areas for lifeguard office operations as well as equipment storage.

Design and construction costs are estimated to be about $3 million. The Encinitas City Council last year approved $13 million in bonds to pay for the marine safety center and the $10 million purchase of the 2.8-acre Pacific View property.

City officials have stated construction is scheduled to begin sometime in 2016.