Above: A rendering of the Belmont Plaza Pool, expected to open ahead of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Long Beach, CA — The City of Long Beach invites community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Belmont Plaza Pool, a major public infrastructure project that will establish a modern and community-centered aquatics complex along the City's coastline. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Termino Avenue and Olympic Plaza.

"We're not just talking about what's possible, we're building it," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Breaking ground on the Belmont Plaza Pool marks a historic step forward in delivering a facility that reflects the pride, history and future of Long Beach. This is about creating a space where young people learn to swim, athletes train and families gather. It is an investment that will serve our communities for generations."

The event will feature remarks from Mayor Rex Richardson, Third District Councilwoman Kristina Duggan, City Manager Tom Modica and other City leaders, followed by a ceremonial shoveling of the dirt. Family-friendly activities, giveaways and community resources will follow. Parking will be available at the Belmont Memorial Pier Lot (3998 E. Allin St.) for the duration of the event.

The new facility will feature two bodies of water: a 50-meter outdoor competition pool with a movable bulkhead to allow flexible programming for lap swimming, training and events; as well as a separate recreational and instructional pool featuring a zero-depth entry, spray features and dedicated space for swim instruction and water play. Additional amenities will include shaded spectator seating, bleachers, locker rooms, showers, family changing areas and public restrooms.

"The Belmont Plaza Pool has been an important part of Long Beach for generations, where children learned to swim, families spent time together, and residents of all ages came to enjoy the coast," said Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan. "After decades of planning, it is exciting to break ground on a project that will restore an important public asset, expand access to aquatic programs, and create a welcoming space for residents and visitors."

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Accessibility and inclusivity are central to the design and future operations. Features include universal access components such as zero‑depth entry, pool lifts, accessible restrooms and family changing rooms. Once open, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will launch an equity‑focused Public Access Program providing expanded youth programs, seasonal activities, transportation support, partnerships with schools and community groups, and reduced‑cost lessons and admission.

The project incorporates coastal resiliency features such as native dune landscaping and sustainable building practices aimed at achieving LEED Silver certification. The City recently completed the design, environmental review and permitting processes, including California Coastal Commission approval and certification of the City's Public Access Program.

"Breaking ground on the Belmont Plaza Pool will mark the culmination of over a decade of planning," said City Manager Tom Modica. "We've taken a deliberate approach to ensure this project is feasible, responsible and aligned with community priorities. We look forward to delivering a high-quality facility that serves residents and visitors for years to come."

"This groundbreaking represents the successful navigation of a complex coastal design and permitting process," said Public Works Director Joshua Hickman. "As we move into the construction phase for this important aquatics asset, we will continue that same level of diligence to ensure the project is resilient, accessible and built to serve Long Beach for decades to come."

"We are committed to providing high-quality recreational spaces and programs that are inclusive and accessible to our entire community, regardless of zip code," said Director of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Stephen P. Scott. "The new Belmont Plaza Pool is many years in the making, and this groundbreaking is a milestone testament to our dedication to investing in our recreational facilities. We look forward to expanding our aquatics footprint to additional Long Beach residents through a new Public Access Program that will be offered at the new pool."

The new aquatics facility is expected to open ahead of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will replace the historic Belmont Plaza Pool, which opened in 1968 and served more than 200,000 visitors annually before closing in 2013 due to seismic concerns. Since the pool was demolished in 2014, the City has worked closely with residents, community organizations and technical experts to refine the project's scope and design. In January 2025, the City hosted a community meeting to share updated plans, renderings, cost information and anticipated timelines.

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PRM currently operates three public pools, Silverado Park Pool, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Pool and the temporary Belmont Pool, which offer open swim sessions, numerous aquatics classes and youth camps. In 2025, nearly 64,000 patrons visited City pools for lap and recreational swimming, emphasizing the ongoing interest and community need in investing in aquatics facilities.

The project will deliver long-term community benefits while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The current design has been refined to align with available funding while preserving essential programming, accessibility features and community-serving amenities. Funding is provided primarily through the City's Tidelands Funds and authorized appropriations, with a remaining funding gap identified and addressed through ongoing financial planning. Tidelands Funds are restricted dollars and can only be spent on projects along the coast, according to State law.

Previously called the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center project, the Belmont Plaza Pool is included in the Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, which has grown to over $1 billion in funding for nearly 200 projects throughout Long Beach. More information about the historic investment in infrastructure currently underway is available at lbelevate28.com.

For more information on total costs, financing details and to view the final facility design, visit BelmontPool.com.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Department of Public Works visit longbeach.gov/pw and follow @lbpublicworks on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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