Tehachapi News

Swim team dives into Bear Valley

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The Tehachapi High School Swim team will hit the water for the first time this year March 2 at the Bear Valley Springs recreational swimming pool. Thanks to boosters, the team has enough money to pay for one month’s use of the outdoor pool, which will be re-opened for them, and is fundraising to pay for the second month of training. The access was made possible when the Tehachapi Unified School District and Bear Valley Springs Association hammered out a deal.

The team’s training season has been delayed for weeks because vandals prevented the use of its home pool Dye Natatorium, property of the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District. With the exception of the Bear Valley Springs pool, there is no other suitable pool available in the Tehachapi area. The cost to keep it open for the team is $4,000 a month.

To donate to the team, call 823-1668 or drop in to M & M Sports, 760 Tucker Road Suite A.

In related news, Tehachapi Police Chief Jeff Kermode said some of the individuals the department believes are responsible for damaging Dye Natatorium have been identified and interviewed, and "We are trying to track down others we believe may have been inside as well before." He said the individuals are all local residents and all under the age of 18. He said prosecution will be a joint decision between the Kern County District Attorney's Office and the Probation Department.

Posted online Feb. 17, 2009; print edition Feb. 18, 2009.