Long Beach lifeguard station back in place

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

The power of the storm pushed ocean water through the 10-to15-foot beach berms that were formed on the beach in front of the lifeguard station. And the winds managed to uproot the fixed lifeguard station.

“This is not the first time a storm has taken it from the foundation, but putting it back was very important,” City Manager Charles Theofan said. “It has sentimental value to the hundreds of lifeguards that have served the city.”

With the help of two 65-ton cranes arching over the boardwalk, the 29-year-old station was picked up and placed onto two 4-by-14-inch wooden grade beams. It took about 17 minutes on Friday morning to complete the move, which will cost the city about $25,000, Theofan said.

“We anticipate getting FEMA reimbursement for that,” Theofan said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The lifeguard station was leaning against the boardwalk as the city hosted the Quiksilver Pro New York surfing competition in early September at National Boulevard beach.

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