The new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana was unveiled this month, but public access to the facility has been delayed, as Voice of OC reported. During the unveiling event, residents, including children eager to use the pool and its slide, were reportedly turned away, while elected officials were observed using the aquatic center. The pool is intended to offer year-round programming, but it is not yet fully open to the public.
Diana Vargas, a lifelong resident of the Memorial Park neighborhood, recounted that her children were told at the event that entry was "only for VIPs" and certain school children, with public access slated for a later time. Vargas noted her disappointment, suggesting the unveiling appeared to be primarily a photo opportunity for public figures.
Among those present, City Council Candidate Giovanni Chavez and Congressman Lou Correa posted a video promoting the new pool as an expansion of city services. However, questions regarding the pool's actual opening date, whether use will be free, and reasons for its current limited access have largely gone unanswered by city officials.
Santa Ana City Manager Alvaro Nuñez and City Spokesman Paul Eakins did not respond to inquiries about the aquatic center's operational status. Eakins, when contacted by phone, requested questions be sent via email, but subsequently did not respond to those emailed inquiries. Nuñez also did not respond to a request for comment. Councilman Ben Vazquez expressed a desire for officials to provide public answers regarding the pool's operational status.
In an email to city council members, which Councilman Vazquez shared, City Manager Nuñez stated that staff are reviewing concerns about "staff communication, program planning, and delays" in activating the aquatic center. Nuñez added that this internal personnel review would "determine appropriate corrective measures, including disciplinary action if warranted" and affirmed, "Our priority remains ensuring that the facility serves the community as intended."
Beyond the aquatic center, the rushed ribbon-cutting has also complicated the restoration of an iconic Chicano mural at the facility. This situation with the aquatic center follows previous instances where city officials have been criticized for a perceived lack of transparency under City Manager Nuñez's leadership. Earlier this year, questions arose regarding changes to community garden operations after signs indicating reduced services appeared. Internal city emails, obtained by Voice of OC, revealed Assistant City Manager Kat Downs questioned Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Tim Pagano about these signs. Pagano, who authorized the signs, clarified that a phrase like "operations will be reduced" was not intended to fully convey the department's transition to a model focused primarily on essential maintenance due to staffing changes.
These staffing changes in city services occurred after officials approved $11 million in budget cuts, affecting vacant positions and part-time staff who help manage programs like those at the community gardens. Despite these cuts, over $937,000 was allocated to the public information office for the current fiscal year. The lack of public explanation for these operational changes at the gardens mirrored the current situation with the Memorial Park Aquatic Center, leaving residents and some elected officials with unresolved questions regarding public amenities and city management's communication practices.
