In temperatures perfect for taking a dip on Saturday, Oct. 17, Santa Ana residents and city officials celebrated “a new chapter” for Memorial Park, where construction recently finished on its new $29 million aquatic center.
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The new center replaces the pool at Memorial Park that, along with a community center, has served the Santa Ana community for more than 60 years on South Flower Street.
The Memorial Park Aquatic Center boasts a recreational pool with a waterslide as well as a 25-meter competition pool with a digital scoreboard in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Camila Bargas and Natalie Olivares react with delight upon seeing the upgraded Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana City Council Member Phil Bacerra raises his arms as he rides the slide at the newly-unveiled Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Representative Lou Correa speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana City Council Member Thai Viet Phan laughs after sliding into the water while exploring the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Community members enjoy the shallower pool at the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the public tour the updated facilities at the Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tim David Penaloza speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Diana and Wyatt Malfavon peek through the fence while waiting to enter the recently constructed Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Ceremony attendees celebrate after Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua cuts the ribbon, opening the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center to the public in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua walks beside the recreational pool at new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Community members watch the opening ceremony for the Memorial Park Aquatic Center from in front of its sign in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Community members cheer during the opening ceremony of the Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua invites attending children to join the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Memorial Park Aquatic Center in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Isabela Hernandez, right, helps Grace Velasquez into the water of the shallower pool at the Memorial Park Aquatic Center during its grand opening in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
In late 2024, the City Council approved the demolition and reconstruction of the aquatics facility, including a complete renovation of the existing pool, building and area site work.
City officials said the upgrades were designed to provide more ways for local residents to “swim, play and cool off.”
City officials note a former American competition swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist on the architectural team behind the project was “instrumental in helping with pool design, programming and community outreach efforts.”
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The design includes a 25-meter competition pool featuring spectator seating and a digital scoreboard, as well as a recreational pool offering an exercise channel and water slide. Additional amenities include a community room, pool deck seating, as well as lifeguard and staff offices and equipment rooms.
“Chicano Gothic,” a mural painted in 1987 on the existing pool facility by muralist Emigdio Vasquez was also preserved.
The mural was reinforced and restored in its original location and incorporated into the park’s master plan as an entry marker, officials said, “that welcomes people into the reimagined Memorial Park.”
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