SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The Plunge swimming pool at Belmont Park closed Thursday amid a dispute between the leaseholder and the city of San Diego over renovations.
Structural engineers determined that the building that encloses the indoor saltwater pool is unsafe and should be closed, following years of wrangling over how to fix the structure, according to a statement from owner Tom Lochtefeld.
The pool, in the entertainment and shopping complex that includes the roller coaster at Mission Beach, will remain closed until repairs are made.
The mayor's office did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Lochtefeld accused the city of denying his plan for redeveloping the building in an economically viable manner, and not giving him rent credits he needed to fix the defects. He said the city allowed the structure, built in 1925, deteriorate while it pursued disputed rent.
The closure of the pool could increase the number of store vacancies in Belmont Park, he said.
The seven-acre property has been owned by the city since 1939.
