The City of Santa Ana celebrated the completion of the Memorial Park Aquatic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 17. Located at 2102 S. Flower Street, the new $29.3 million facility represents the largest aquatics investment in the city's history. The event was attended by the Santa Ana City Council, City officials, and 300 community members, many of whom toured the facility or utilized the new pool for the first time.
This significant development replaces Memorial Park's original pool and community center, which had served Santa Ana residents for more than 60 years. The new center is designed to offer expanded opportunities for swimming, exercise, and various recreational activities for the community.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua commented on the project's impact, stating that it signifies "a historic investment in our community." She further highlighted that the new facility provides Santa Ana families with a modern and innovative aquatic center after seven decades, serving residents of all ages and abilities as a place to gather, stay active, and create lasting memories.
The Memorial Park Aquatic Center boasts a comprehensive array of modern amenities. It includes a competition pool, measuring 25 yards by 50 meters, equipped with both 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, and spectator seating for 500. Additionally, the facility features an instructional pool with a zero-depth entry, designed for accessibility, along with various water play features for younger users. Beyond the aquatic areas, the center offers a multi-purpose room, a kitchen, ample storage space, updated locker rooms, a concession stand, and administrative offices. Visitors can also benefit from shaded bleachers and a large event lawn, enhancing the overall recreational experience.
Financially, the $29.3 million project was supported through a combination of funding sources. These included the City’s local sales tax, allocations from the Cannabis Public Benefit Fund, and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship, the Aquatic Center stands as the City’s first fully electric facility. It is powered entirely by solar panels, which also serve the dual purpose of providing shade for visitors, integrating sustainable practices directly into the design and operation of the park.
With the completion of the new Aquatic Center, Memorial Park is set to continue its role in serving Santa Ana families with enhanced facilities for recreation and community engagement. The City has established a partnership with OC GOLD, a competitive swim program, to offer swimming opportunities specifically tailored for young athletes. This collaboration will include free tryouts for children and teens aged 5 to 17, providing a structured pathway for developing swimming skills and participating in competitive aquatic sports. The City of Santa Ana has indicated that further information regarding public swimming schedules and the complete range of aquatics programming will be released soon, making the new facilities accessible to the broader community.
