City of Santa Ana celebrates completion of $29.3 million Memorial Park Aquatic Center

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The City of Santa Ana celebrated the completion of the Memorial Park Aquatic Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Santa Ana City Council, City officials and 300 community members who got to tour the facility or try out the new pool for the first time.

The $29.3 million Aquatic Center is the largest aquatics investment in Santa Ana history. It replaces the park's original pool and community center, which served residents for more than 60 years.

"This Aquatic Center represents a historic investment in our community and the generations of Santa Ana families who will enjoy it," said Mayor Valerie Amezcua. "Seventy years after the original pool opened at Memorial Park, our community now has the modern and innovative aquatics facility that they deserve. We're proud to provide a place where residents of all ages and abilities can come together, stay active and create lasting memories."

The new facility provides residents with more opportunities to swim, exercise and enjoy recreational activities. Features include:

• A 500,000-gallon, 25-meter competition pool with spectator seating and a digital scoreboard
• A recreational pool with an exercise channel, water slide and zero-entry access for easier pool entry
• Locker rooms and a community room
• Pool deck seating and offices and equipment rooms for lifeguards and staff
• State-of-the-art outdoor lighting, security cameras, landscaping and walkways

The Aquatic Center, located at 2102 S. Flower St., is the City's first fully electric facility and will be powered by solar panels that also provide shade for visitors. The project was funded through the City's local sales tax, Cannabis Public Benefit Fund and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

With the new Aquatic Center now complete, Memorial Park will continue serving Santa Ana families with updated facilities for swimming, recreation and community activities. The City is partnering with competitive swim program OC GOLD to provide swimming opportunities for young athletes. Free tryouts will be available for children and teens ages 5 to 17, offering an opportunity to develop swimming skills and participate in competitive swimming.

The City will share more information soon as the Aquatic Center begins rolling out public swimming schedules and aquatics programming.

See photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony here.

For more information about Santa Ana's parks and recreational facilities, visit the Parks and Recreation webpage.