Did you know that more than 40% of adults in the United States suffer from obesity? Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for this condition. Perhaps worse is that more and more adults and children are gaining weight across the country, choosing the convenience of fast and nutrition-deficient foods over healthy eating, exercise, and positive life choices. From an aesthetic standpoint, being overweight is a struggle - clothes don't fit right, people make uncomfortable comments about how you look, and everyday activities are less appealing.
From a health and wellness standpoint, however, being obese is much worse. Your life is literally on the line. The people who love you and depend on you to be in their lives could lose you sooner than you expect. With time, you have a higher chance of suffering from significant, life-changing issues such as:
While obesity is a serious problem, a new medication on the market is giving hope to millions of men and women across the U.S. This game-changing treatment is called Semaglutide in Lake Worth, FL. This anti-obesity medication is unique because it treats obesity as a chronic metabolic disease, rather than a problem that can be solved through sheer willpower. The best part? Semaglutide and other medical weight-loss peptides are now available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we understand that losing weight is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our medical weight loss clinic offers custom medical weight loss plans tailored to your body, rather than plans based solely on your age or weight. In fact, our team of doctors and practitioners provides personalized guidance to help you achieve real results and live a healthier life.
Because the truth is maintaining good health and fitness are crucial in the modern world. Research has shown that viruses and diseases are more likely to affect those who are overweight and unhealthy. At Global Life Rejuvenation, we take a comprehensive, custom approach to medical weight loss that includes peptide therapy and more. We then work with you to make positive lifestyle changes, so you can lose weight, get healthy, and boost your wellbeing permanently - not for a few weeks or months.
If you're ready to get back to loving your life with more energy, confidence, and positivity, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may be for you. But to truly understand the benefits of peptides like Semaglutide, it's important you grasp what peptide therapy is and how it benefits your body.
Many individuals turn to peptide therapy to enhance their overall wellbeing by boosting hormones. Different types of peptides can target different areas of health, such as collagen peptides that can help improve skin, hair, and gut health.
Other peptides, such as AOD 9604, CJC 1295, and Semaglutide in Lake Worth, FL, are incredibly beneficial for losing weight. Compared to vitamin supplements, peptide therapy works differently as peptides are already part of the proteins in our bodies, making them easier to absorb and benefit from. Conversely, our bodies can sometimes fail to absorb all the nutrients present in multivitamins, leading to their excretion through urine.
However, it's important to note that weight loss is a complex process that involves various factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, exercise, and diet. While peptides like Semaglutide can provide much-needed assistance in achieving your weight loss goals, they are most effective when combined with healthy dietary choices, regular exercise routines, and overall healthier lifestyle choices.
If you've already tried different weight loss plans and diets but haven't had any success, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may provide that extra boost you need to realize your goals.
If you're looking to lose weight and keep it off, diet and exercise are important, but it can be difficult to stick to a routine. For busy adults and parents, Semaglutide can be a helpful tool for weight loss. This injection, approved by the FDA for diabetes and obesity, works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and improve long-term health.
You may be wondering to yourself, "That sounds great, but how does this type of peptide work?" Semaglutide acts like glucagon in your body, which signals to your brain that you're full and don't need to eat anymore. When you take Semaglutide, and you try to overeat, your body waves a proverbial red flag as if to say, "That's enough."
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By reducing glucose spikes after meals, it reduces inflammation, which is important for overall health. Additionally, Semaglutide helps your pancreas secrete insulin, regulates the glucose levels in your body, and even has anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling to lose weight, peptide therapies for weight loss like Semaglutide can be an invaluable addition to your weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation.
When combined with healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, Semaglutide can help provide:
There are multiple medications available to combat obesity by suppressing appetite and promoting weight loss. However, Semaglutide stands out as an exceptional option.
A recent study of 2,000 obese adults examined the effects of Semaglutide when combined with a diet and exercise program. The results were compared to those who only made lifestyle changes without taking Semaglutide. After 68 weeks, it was found that half of the participants using Semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, with nearly a third losing 20%. In contrast, those who only made lifestyle changes lost an average of 2.4% of their weight.
It's obvious, then, that Semaglutide is a safe and effective supplement for your weight loss journey with Global Life Rejuvenation. But who is the ideal patient who should be taking it?
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 27kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, or if your BMI is 30kg/m2 or higher, the FDA recommends Semaglutide for weight loss.
As medical weight loss experts, one thing our doctors and practitioners know at Global Life Rejuvenation is that true weight loss isn't dictated by medicines. It's achieved by sticking to a combo of exercise, healthy life choices, and healthy eating habits. From there, peptides like Semaglutide in Lake Worth, FL are great for taking your weight loss efforts to the next level of success.
One area where many patients fail in this process is with their diet. If you're considering Semaglutide treatment, keep these diet tips in mind.
To enhance your dietary habits, a practical approach is to concentrate on consuming whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. These food items are rich in nutrients and can provide a feeling of fullness and satisfaction while also promoting your overall wellbeing.
Eating mindfully involves being fully present and engaged during meals. This entails taking the time to enjoy the flavor of your food, being aware of your body's hunger and fullness signals, and avoiding distractions like electronics or television.
To maintain good health and support weight loss, it's crucial to drink plenty of water. It's recommended to drink at least 8-10 cups of water daily. You may also try adding low-calorie drinks like herbal tea or infused water to keep things interesting.
Planning your meals in advance is an effective approach to maintaining a healthy diet. Set aside some time each week to plan your meals and snacks, keeping in mind to incorporate a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will prevent impulsive food choices and guarantee that you have nutritious options available when hunger strikes.
Unlike many medical weight loss clinics, which only offer cookie-cutter weight loss plans and one or two additional fat-busting solutions, Global Life Rejuvenation provides access to new, innovative supplements and medicines. If you're used to fad diets and "quick" weight loss plans, peptides like AOD 9604 and others may be new to you. To help build your foundation of healthy living knowledge, let's take a look at a few of the most popular weight-loss peptides and medicines available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
Often combined with Semaglutide regimens, AOD 9604 is known to promote fat breakdown, inhibit lipogenesis, and support tendons and cartilage. However, most recently, it has gained popularity due to its ability to boost metabolism and aid in burning fat.
What sets AOD 9604 apart is that it stimulates the pituitary gland without affecting tissue growth or blood sugar levels. Additionally, it can burn fat without causing overeating, making it a viable option for obese men and women who are trying to implement better eating habits.
Interestingly, AOD 9604 activates your body's fat-burning processes without requiring an HGH receptor. It also releases obese fat cells and reduces the accumulation of new fat cells. By helping to regulate blood sugar and manage insulin levels, AOD 9604 is excellent for weight loss but also for other maladies like inflammation.
Some conditions that this powerful peptide can help address include the following:
This medical weight loss supplement Is technically a combo of two peptides. These substances work by stimulating your pituitary gland to produce more of your body's natural human growth hormone, which is secreted during both waking and sleeping periods.
This results in increased protein synthesis and levels of insulin-like growth factors. As hormone secretagogues, they help release hormones into circulation while mimicking the pituitary gland's production. Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin. As a tool for medical weight loss, it has shown very promising results.
That's because when growth hormone levels increase, nutrients are transported through the body faster, more fat is burned, and weight management becomes simpler. Additionally, because CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin increase the amount of growth hormone in your body, it stimulates the breakdown of triglycerides in adipocytes, leading to improved fat metabolism and reduced abdominal fat.
Benefits of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin for weight loss include:
A Methionine Inositol Choline (MIC) injection is a mixture of lipotropics that aid in fat breakdown. The key components - methionine, inositol, and choline - work together to metabolize fat cells and eliminate stored fat deposits in the liver and body. Methionine is an important amino acid, inositol contributes to proper cell formation, and choline is a water-soluble nutrient that promotes healthy liver function. When combined, these compounds may help reduce body fat.
When used in conjunction with a medical weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation, MIC injections can be a powerful addition to reclaiming your health and wellbeing.
Request AppointmentLike other weight loss peptides and medicines on this page, Phentermine can help you lose weight when you stick to a medical weight loss plan that includes dieting, exercise, and smart life choices. It does so by reducing your appetite, which limits the number of calories you eat every day.
As is the case with Semaglutide, Phentermine has been approved by the FDA and is supported by clinical studies that show it can support weight loss. With time, patience, and healthy living, this supplement may help you reach your wellness goals sooner than you thought possible.
Request AppointmentIn the body, 7-keto-DHEA is produced from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a hormone made by glands near your kidneys. However, unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into androgen and estrogen in your body. Instead, 7-keto-DHEA is used orally or topically to boost your body's metabolism. It also helps convert more of your energy into heat, instead of storing it in your body as fat, which can accumulate with time and lifestyle choices.
Much like Semaglutide treatment in Lake Worth, FL, 7-keto-DHEA has been shown to be very effective for weight loss as well as a host of other issues. Additional benefits of taking 7-keto-DHEA may include the following:
Have you tried everything under the sun to try and eliminate the cellulite on your legs, arms, and other areas of your body? If you're like most people, getting rid of cellulite isn't just difficult - it's nearly impossible. Fortunately, those days are over. Lipo Sculpt Cream from Global Life Rejuvenation can help reduce the unsightly appearance of cellulite while also refining your figure and firming up your skin.
The active ingredients in this product have the ability to reduce and prevent the growth of fatty tissue while also improving microcirculation. They work together to treat both adipose and aqueous cellulite, and aid in the elimination of fatty deposits and excess water stored in the tissues. This results in a reduction of dimples and an overall improvement in the appearance of your skin.
If you have experienced success with a medical weight loss plan and reached your target weight but still suffer from cellulite, Lipo Sculpt Cream is a fantastic choice to consider. A few of the most common benefits include:
Are you craving a productive life at a healthy weight? Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones? The pathway to wellbeing starts by contacting our office for an in-depth consultation, where we'll learn more about your weight-loss goals and needs.
From there, we'll create a custom weight-loss plan tailored to your body. This plan will map out the steps of your weight-loss journey, including peptide therapies like Semaglutide in Lake Worth, FL. Though every person's weight management goals are different, when you're a patient at Global Life Rejuvenation, you benefit from dedicated doctors and practitioners committed to improving your weight and, in turn, your health.
Whether your health is on the line, or you don't like how being overweight makes you look and feel, our team is ready to guide you toward long-term health and happiness. This way, you can get healthy, stay in shape, and fall in love with your newfound body.
Though an incredible musician and songwriter, Jimmy Buffett's name is practically synonymous with the sea. Whether sailing, paddle boarding, surfing or fishing, he had strong ties to all of it.On Sunday, Sept. 24, friends will get the chance to say goodbye in a manor befitting ...
Though an incredible musician and songwriter, Jimmy Buffett's name is practically synonymous with the sea. Whether sailing, paddle boarding, surfing or fishing, he had strong ties to all of it.
On Sunday, Sept. 24, friends will get the chance to say goodbye in a manor befitting Buffett's love of the ocean during a paddle-out ceremony at Lake Worth Beach.
The event is being hosted by the nonprofit organization Piper's Angels Foundation.
Founded by Travis Suit, the group is named after his daughter Piper, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 4. Its goal is to provide innovative solutions to the cystic fibrosis community, empowering each individual and family to live their greatest life possible.
More:West Palm Beach to honor Jimmy Buffett downtown with cheeseburgers, margaritas, live music
A lifelong fan of his music, Suit was one of those lucky people who also actually got to meet and know Buffett.
Suit said it was 2012 and he was working as bartender at Nick & Johnny's in Palm Beach. It was a slow Sunday afternoon when an older guy rode up on his bicycle, he said. When that guy sat down at the bar and looked up, Suit said he was like, "Holy cow, that's Jimmy Buffett!"
Buffett lived just down the street on Root Trail, and Suit said he would stop by the restaurant several times year and more frequently during the winter season.
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Being a bartender, Suit said that you can sometimes get into pretty deep conversations with patrons, especially regulars.
He said that over the years, when Buffett would stop in they would talk about life, surfing and family.
Suit said that when he told Buffett about "The Crossing," a long-distance paddle challenge from the Bahamas to Florida that supports families affected by cystic fibrosis, Buffett said "anything you and Piper ever need, I'll help."
Having Jimmy Buffett say that had a profound impact on him, "just to know that he was in our corner," Suit said.
True to his word, Buffett stepped up and sponsored the foundation and became an advisor to its board of directors.
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Suit said he'd been a fan of his music his whole life and loved him for his authenticity.
One Sunday evening, Suit recalled Buffett stopped by the bar and told him that it looked like there were going to be good waves the next day. Suit said that he'd been praying for surf because not only was it his day off, but also his birthday.
Jimmy gave him his number and said, "Text me early tomorrow and we'll hit it."
Suit got a birthday surf session with Jimmy Buffett just north of The Breakers off Wells Road in Palm Beach.
The paddle out starts at 8 a.m. and will take place just south of the Lake Worth Pier. Everyone will then circle up on the beach at 8:30 before paddling out.
There will a time for sharing and some music, and flowers will be handed out. There will be a moment of silence, and then blowing of a conch shell.
Where: Lake Worth Beach, 10 Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth Beach
When: 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
Information: instagram.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
The fate of the iconic art deco building that once housed the Blue Front Bar and Grill in Lake Worth Beach has been in question since a new restaurant expected to debut this past spring never materialized.But property owner Martin Sprock, who co-founded Moe’s Southwest Grill and Planet Smoothie, said he still plans to open one of his RuRu’s Tacos a...
The fate of the iconic art deco building that once housed the Blue Front Bar and Grill in Lake Worth Beach has been in question since a new restaurant expected to debut this past spring never materialized.
But property owner Martin Sprock, who co-founded Moe’s Southwest Grill and Planet Smoothie, said he still plans to open one of his RuRu’s Tacos and Tequila in the unique building at 1132 N. Dixie Highway.
“We are dying to be working on Blue Front,” Sprock said in a Sept. 19 interview. “We’ve had a bit of a tussle to get permits, but we will get rolling as soon as we get the green light. We have two construction crews waiting to go.”
City of Lake Worth Beach officials said there are "no outstanding or in-progress building permit applications registered within the city's database for the property located at 1132 North Dixie Highway, formerly known as the Blue Front Grill or Kristen's. Neither are there any pending planning, zoning or business license applications for this location.”
Sprock said he's still working through a phase in the process that happens before a formal permit request is submitted.
If RuRu's opens in Lake Worth Beach, it would be the first in Florida. The restaurant offers Mexican-inspired fare, and has locations in Charleston, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
RuRu’s is noted for its dishes with playful movie-themed names such as a crispy tofu bowl called You Got No Legs Lt. Dan!, from the film “Forest Gump.”
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There’s also a double-stacked quesadilla called You’re My Boy Blue, from the movie “Old School,” and a Fletch-themed marinated chicken bowl called It’s All Ball Bearings.
In addition to making sure permitting is “100% perfect,” Sprock said it’s been difficult finding qualified contractors due to the increase in residential and commercial construction happening in Palm Beach County since the pandemic.
Sprock also plans to build a new two-story Mediterranean-themed restaurant along Antique Row in West Palm Beach. He paid $1.75 million for an empty lot at 3500 S. Dixie in March 2022 for what he said will house a Kid Cashew eatery, which features wood-fired meals including marinated chicken and lamb skewers, and multiple salads.
“That one is going to have a really cool covered patio on it,” Sprock said. “That has been drawn up, but it’s the same slow process. It’s taking a while.”
Sprock couldn’t give an estimated opening date for either the Lake Worth Beach or West Palm Beach restaurants. He said the RuRu’s Tacos and Tequila could be open in three to four months once permitting is complete.
The former Blue Front building was built in 1949 with an eye-catching tower for the entrance and an expansive landscaped garden area. It was the home of Kristine’s Restaurant for decades, followed by a catering and events company.
It became the Jetsetter Lounge around 2006. Blue Front was open from 2014 to 2018.
Sprock, through his limited liability corporation Round Boys, paid $1.6 million for the Blue Front property in April 2022. The building borders the Northeast Lucerne Historic District but isn’t in it. That means it could be torn down.
“We are trying to salvage it. We want to make it sing again,” Sprock said.
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Andy Amoroso, a former Lake Worth Beach vice mayor who is running for mayor in 2024, said he’s heard several complaints about permitting delays in the city.
“Delays cost businesses money, and every day they aren’t open costs more money,” said Amoroso, who owns the Tacky Tourist gift shop on Lake Avenue. “Yes, we want to make sure everything is done right, but we can do better.”
Sprock, who bought a home near Worth Avenue in Palm Beach in April 2021, has also been investing in real estate in some of West Palm Beach's historic communities and in Lake Worth Beach.
He has about a dozen homes he's renovating with the goal of either leasing them out or selling them.
“We believe in West Palm Beach and Lake Worth in a big way,” Sprock said. “It would just be nice if things were a little easier to get work done.”
Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to [email protected]. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.
Dozens of Jimmy Buffett fans went to the beach Sunday morning for one final farewell to the late singer.A lot of fans told WFLX’s Victor Jorges this is the only way they know how to say goodbye to the legend. Just like Jimmy Buffett would’ve wanted it, his life was celebrated amid music, waves and his fans.“He brings a gathering,” Richard Albanese of Lake Worth Beach. “Everybody is enjoying each other’s company and enjoying his music, and this… the beach.”Dozens gathered a...
Dozens of Jimmy Buffett fans went to the beach Sunday morning for one final farewell to the late singer.
A lot of fans told WFLX’s Victor Jorges this is the only way they know how to say goodbye to the legend. Just like Jimmy Buffett would’ve wanted it, his life was celebrated amid music, waves and his fans.
“He brings a gathering,” Richard Albanese of Lake Worth Beach. “Everybody is enjoying each other’s company and enjoying his music, and this… the beach.”
Dozens gathered at Lake Worth Beach with plans of honoring Buffett by paddling out at sea. Mother Nature had different plans but like true Buffett fans, people embraced the rain.
“The man talked about living your life easy,” Albanese said. “Life is not complicated, it’s what you make of it and he talked about enjoying your time.”
“It’s one of those things that you’re just here for the moment,” Jeff Eder of Ocean Ridge said. “It’s a really nice thing to do for someone who was really a nice person, genuinely, deep down.”
Fans like Albanese and Eder came out to thank Buffett for his music. They said when times got tough, his music was always there.
“We all have problems and everything but when you sit and have a Jimmy Buffett day, it’s all gone,” Albanese said.
“Relaxation, dreams of the islands, all the water stuff that he loved, and I love too,” Eder said.
Behind this seaside goodbye is Piper’s Angels, a local organization fighting for cystic fibrosis. Buffett was on the board for the non-profit before he passed away earlier this year.
“That’s the kind of guy Jimmy was,” Travis Suit said. “He just knew how to show up authentically for everything he did.”
Sunday felt like a hug for people who came together to live life like Jimmy. By the ocean, guitar in hand, and smiling from ear to ear.
“He left a lot of people happy, he made you happy, just sitting there listening to his music, just makes you happy,” Albanese said.
The beloved singer-songwriter passed away at his home in Long Island on Sept. 1 surrounded by family and friends.
He was 76 years old.
Fans in South Florida are holding his memory, and music, close to their hearts.
Drone footage courtesy of Jesse Pettifor/Palm Beach Drone Works.
Scripps Only Content 2023
LAKE WORTH, Fla. —City of Lake Worth Beach leaders voted Wednesday night to approve an amended lease for Benny's on the Beach. The move allows for the iconic restaurant to stay in business on the pier.The new lease amendment raises the restaurant's rent to $42 per square foot, putting it on par with some of the higher rent rates at the nearby Casino building. The new amendment keeps the restaurant on the pier for at least the next 10 years.Previous coverage: ...
LAKE WORTH, Fla. —
City of Lake Worth Beach leaders voted Wednesday night to approve an amended lease for Benny's on the Beach. The move allows for the iconic restaurant to stay in business on the pier.
The new lease amendment raises the restaurant's rent to $42 per square foot, putting it on par with some of the higher rent rates at the nearby Casino building. The new amendment keeps the restaurant on the pier for at least the next 10 years.
Previous coverage: Lake Worth Beach city attorney 'very confident' deal for new Benny's on the Beach lease imminent
“I’m feeling very happy for (all the supporters) and the 200 employees who worked for Benny’s on the Beach," said Lee Lipton, owner of Benny's on the Beach. "I’m also very happy for the people of the city who really do love Benny’s on the Beach and have been here for the last 40 years. Hopefully, some of my children or whoever will take it on and keep it going. Benny’s on the Beach is Lake Worth Beach and we’re very, very happy to be here."
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The @LakeWorthBchPBC city commission has voted to approve the new lease amendment for Benny’s on the Beach. That means the iconic restaurant will stay on the pier for at least the next 10 years. Live report coming up on @WPBF25News pic.twitter.com/yOqhqX8QhR
— Steve King WPBF (@WPBF_Steve) May 10, 2023
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Related: Commissioner who voted against Benny's on the Beach lease renewal 'open to continued negotiations'
"Personally, I feel it’s in the best interest of the city to have this continuity of Benny’s on the Beach," said Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch. "It’s been there for a long time. We have very little. Lake Worth, there’s a dearth of activities to come to in Lake Worth. Right now, it’s Benny’s. People come for special occasions and for birthdays and to go on vacation and feel like they’re in the islands, and that’s the place to do it."
Commissioner Christopher Mcvoy voted against the amendment on Wednesday because he says it leaves money on the table, since he thinks the city could have charged more for its pier property and he also thinks city staff should have gathered more data to have more information before making this latest offer.
Other commissioners say they're excited to keep Benny's on the Beach where it is since it’s a landmark of the community.
The commission recently voted against a lease amendment proposal and city staff and the owner of Benny's on the Beach had been working over the last few weeks to come to a different agreement.
Critics have said the millions of dollars needed to redesign the municipal pool would be better spent elsewhere. Supporters of the pool say the city lost a beloved gathering spot.0:000:22ADThe former pool in Lake Worth Beach is nearing a turning point. Closed since at least 2017 amid safety concerns an...
The former pool in Lake Worth Beach is nearing a turning point. Closed since at least 2017 amid safety concerns and budget constraints, the Olympic-sized hole in the ground has fueled debates about whether to revive the pool or to use the space for something different.
City commissioners reviewed the latest proposal for a new pool at their Aug. 15 meeting. Happy with the redesign, at least for the most part, they gave city staff the OK to move forward with a cost analysis that takes into account not only the construction price, but also the cost of operating and maintaining a pool.
"If it is not — after careful consideration — feasible to have the pool, then we must deal with the fact that we have a giant concrete hole at our beach, and we need to come up with some alternative plan to use that space," said Mayor Betty Resch, who is in favor of reopening the pool.
Critics have said the millions of dollars needed to redesign the pool would be better spent elsewhere. Supporters of the pool — once a place for swim lessons, water aerobics, holiday celebrations, picnics and other community get-togethers — say Lake Worth Beach lost a beloved gathering place.
City commissioners and supporters hope that reopening the pool with modern amenities will make the site a destination for residents and tourists. Up to now, the greatest obstacle has been the cost.
The latest design by CPZ Architects would cost an estimated $16 million. The concept includes a food pavilion, covered seating, restrooms and changing rooms, a lifeguard office and a nearby splash pad.
A major sticking point for commissioners during the last discussion on Dec. 6 was the depth of the pool. The previous rendition had a depth of only 4 feet throughout the pool, and the new design has various depths that start at 3 feet and gradually lead up to a 10-foot section.
Commissioners applauded the new addition and said it would open the door to more people getting their scuba diving certifications or brushing up on their scuba skills. With a public beach and the Atlantic Ocean directly across the street from the proposed pool, diving would be a draw, they said.
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They were less certain about a splash pad situated just outside of the pool. In the latest design, the splash pad — an area with jets that spray water from the ground — would offer a free option to anyone who wants to have some fun and cool off without having to pay an entry fee for the pool area.
Commissioner Kim Stokes pushed back on the idea of dividing families and separating the pool site into a paid and unpaid area, especially when the city already has a free playground across the street.
Commissioner Sarah Malega, however, agreed with the idea of putting the splash pad in a separate area, offering families more options outside of the paid pool area. But if the city were to move forward with a splash pad, it should be moved farther from Ocean Boulevard and the dangers of passing cars and sidewalk travelers, she said.
The meeting also included some debate about a food pavilion — an area similar to a tiki bar — that was included in the latest design. Instead of building a kitchen and selling its own food, the city could save money and welcome vendors on a rotating basis, Commissioner Reinaldo Diaz said.
Agreeing with the use of mobile vendors, whether it be trucks or food carts, Vice Mayor Christopher McVoy said it would support local entrepreneurs and allow for a constant offering of new foods.
"Sometimes the food is one of the biggest revenue-makers of the project," City Manager Carmen Davis said in response. "But we will certainly be open-minded and evaluate that on both ends."
Even before the pool's permanent closing, it shut down temporarily in 2010 to save money, amid budget concerns in the city. The pool cost about $322,000 to operate every year, but it generated only about 20% of that amount in revenue.
The pool reopened in 2013, after residents pushed for its return, but fewer than 50 people used it each day. "If no one utilizes the pool, it will be hard to justify the expense," the city's sales, marketing and event manager said at the time.
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Commissioners spent the next several years debating about whether to close the aging pool. Built in 1971, it needed costly repairs and was operating at an annual deficit, and while some city leaders wanted it closed for good, others said the pool was an important public resource.
"We sat, we talked, we reminisced, we got to know our neighbors,” a swim instructor said in 2016, describing a community event at the pool. “It was more than just a class. It was like family.”
Safety concerns finally led to the pool's permanent closing by 2017. Concrete chunks "the size of small sandwiches" began falling from the pool's pump room ceiling, nearly hitting a staff worker, and a 12-inch water line exploded, firing shrapnel dangerously close to another city worker.
Since that time, supporters have continued to push for the reopening of a modern public pool. A group of residents — carrying boogie boards, snorkel masks and dioramas of the pool — filled the commission chambers in 2019, encouraging city leaders to not give up on the project.
The current commissioners, who inherited the controversial pool project after their arrival in 2021 and 2022, are tasked with figuring out a solution before it grows even more expensive.
The city’s leisure services director said about eight years ago that a total redesign of the pool would cost between $2 million to $8 million. That estimate jumped to $10 million about four years ago, before this year's $16 million concept was presented to the commission.
"We don't have the money," the vice mayor said. "We're going to have to come up with the money by borrowing, grants, who knows what sort of way. Inspiring somebody to donate big chunks or multiple people to donate."
"I would say don't hold back on imagination of what you build. Use that as your attractor for the funding," he continued, arguing that the current design lacked the level of creativity he expected.
The commission ultimately voted 4-1, with McVoy dissenting, to move forward with a cost analysis for the project, including construction, operations and maintenance. That process will take into account the commissioners' recent comments and suggestions, and the city manager will bring the estimated price back to the city leaders at a future meeting.
"But not like a year from now, right?" Malega said.
"No, ma'am, I don't think you'll let me do that," the city manager responded.
Giuseppe Sabella is a reporter covering Boynton Beach and Lake Worth Beach at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.