Irene-damaged lifeguard station being restored

City of Long Beach workers on Friday are putting back the lifeguard station on National Boulevard beach that was knocked off its foundation and slammed into the boardwalk Sunday during Tropical Storm Irene.

The power of the storm pushed ocean water through the 10- to 15-foot-high berms that were formed on the beach in front of the 20-foot-high lifeguard station. But the winds still managed to uproot the 10-ton building.

"They are lifting it and moving it back," city spokesman Gordon Tepper said. "We have all kinds of city personnel monitoring" the lifeguard station.

A 65-ton crane arcing over the boardwalk picked up the 29-year-old station and placed it on two 4-by-14-inch wooden grade beams.

The move will cost the city about $25,000, said Public Works Commissioner Kevin Mulligan.

City officials hope to have the station moved back to its original spot by 5:30 p.m. Friday, Tepper said.

The city is preparing to host the Quiksilver Pro New York surfing competition, which is taking place at National Boulevard beach starting on Monday and ending Sept. 15. The Quiksilver Pro Trials qualifying portion of the contest will be on Sunday.

Irene forced organizers to push back the original start date of the competition and cancel the festival portion of the contest.