Above: Rendering of the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center, which recently transitioned from planning to construction with the Jan. 20, 2026, Long Beach City Council approval to enter into a contruction contract with Bernard Bros., Inc.

Long Beach, CA – On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, the Long Beach City Council approved with an 8 to 0 vote for the City to enter into a construction contract for the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center, authorizing construction to move forward with Bernards Bros., Inc. as the selected contractor. This milestone action transitions the long-planned project from planning to construction and brings the City closer to delivering a modern, inclusive aquatics facility along the waterfront.

"For more than a decade, the Belmont Pool has been talked about. Today, we're moving from planning to building and putting shovels in the ground," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This pool has produced Olympians and world-class swimmers, and Long Beach deserves a world-class facility that reflects that legacy. And world-class facilities should come with world-class access—so we're proud this project is moving forward with equity in mind."

The project has progressed through a complex and challenging journey shaped by rising construction costs, coastal regulatory requirements, and the need to redesign earlier concepts to ensure long-term financial sustainability while preserving the community's core priorities.

"For decades, the Belmont Pool site has been an important part of Long Beach's waterfront and a place where families from across the city come together," said Councilmember Kristina Duggan, who represents the Third District where the facility is located. "This approval reflects years of collaboration and community input. The Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center will be an accessible public space that respects the site's history while meeting current and future community needs."

"Reaching this point required careful planning, transparency and responsible stewardship of public resources," said City Manager Tom Modica. "Our focus was on delivering a project that is inclusive, financially responsible and buildable — one that balances fiscal realities and regulatory frameworks so the final result can serve Long Beach for generations to come."

The effort to replace the former Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool began after the facility was demolished in 2014 due to seismic safety concerns. Over the years, the City 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. Since that time, the revised project has completed plan check and permitting approvals, including approval by the California Coastal Commission, and was released for competitive bidding among prequalified contractors. Following a thorough evaluation, Bernards Bros., Inc. was selected based on its experience, qualifications and demonstrated ability to deliver complex public projects within coastal and regulatory environments at a competitive cost.

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The City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (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 Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center is designed to support a wide range of recreational, instructional and competitive uses for the community. The facility will include 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. Supporting amenities will include shaded spectator seating, bleachers, locker rooms, showers, family changing areas and public restrooms.

"The addition of the new Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center will build upon our existing suite of aquatics facilities and programming that will allow us to better serve our community through high-quality, safe and accessible aquatics recreation," said Stephen P. Scott, Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. "This is an exciting step forward in a long-awaited process. The new facility will be a place where families gather, skills are built and lifelong connections to recreation and wellness begin for patrons of all ages."

Accessibility and inclusivity are central to both the facility's design and its operations. Universal access features include zero-depth pool entry, pool lifts, accessible restrooms, and family changing rooms. In addition, PRM, who will oversee facility operations once complete, will adopt a public access program that emphasizes equitable programming and outreach, including potential opportunities such as after-school and weekend swim programs, summer camps, partnerships with schools and community organizations in underserved areas,  transportation assistance for people with limited mobility or access, and reduced or subsidized swim lessons and admission fees. These measures are intended to remove barriers to access and ensure the facility serves residents citywide. More information about these opportunities will be shared publicly as details come to fruition and are finalized.

"Delivering the Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center required extensive coordination, technical expertise, and collaboration across City departments," said Public Works Director Josh Hickman. "With this approval, we are ready to move into construction and deliver a thoughtfully designed facility that meets coastal requirements, prioritizes accessibility, and provides long-term value for the community."

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The approved 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. The construction contract awarded to Bernards Bros., Inc. is valued at approximately $60 million. Funding is provided primarily through the City's Tidelands Fund 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 on the coast per State law.

With construction now authorized, the City anticipates breaking ground Summer 2026 and expects the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center to be completed and ready to serve the community in advance of the 2028 Olympic Games.

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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