Advocate wants Newport Harbor High pool named after water polo coach

Should the Newport Harbor High School pool be named for retired water polo coach Bill Barnett?

Residents are being asked to indicate whether they favor or oppose the naming via an online survey. They have until April 17 to weigh in, and results are expected to go before the Newport-Mesa Unified School District board of education April 28.

Bob Tafoya, a supporter of school aquatics, last year filed the application to name the pool in honor of Barnett, a member of the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame who coached water polo at the school since the 1960s. The coach retired in February after the final water polo game of the season.

“Suffice it to say since 1966, Bill Barnett and Newport Harbor have been indistinguishable from each other, making the Newport Harbor High School pool a veritable ‘mecca’ of water polo excellence,” Tafoya wrote in his application.

“His contribution to the development of true student athletes, his incredible record of success at the club, high school, national and international levels and his unbreakable bond to the pool and the community are without equal.”

A representative from USA Water Polo also wrote in support of the naming. Both letters are on the district website.

District policy permits facilities to be named after individuals “who have contributed greatly to the betterment of society and/or the local community, area and/or district,” among other criteria.

In an announcement about the survey, the district indicated that an ad hoc committee had met in February as a first step in the process. Board policy requires the district to seek public input as well.