Memorial Park and pool reimagined

2102 S Flower St.

Construction period

• A construction contract will be awarded by City Council on October 15, 2024.
• The construction period is slated to take 14 -16 months, beginning in late 2024.

Project description

Memorial Park, located at 2102 South Flower Street, was dedicated in May 1959. The pool and community center are the original 1956 installation. The time has come for a new and improved aquatics center.

The new Memorial Aquatics Center Project will consist of a complete demolition and rebuilding of the aquatics facility, including the existing building, pool, pool equipment building & adjacent site work. The architectural team leading the design effort included a former American competition swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist, who was instrumental in helping with pool design, programming and community outreach efforts.

Project components

The new aquatics center will include:

• A new all electric building (which includes locker rooms
• Lifeguard offices, staff offices, community room, and pool equipment room)
• Two swimming pools (25m x 25yd competition pool and a “fun water” recreational pool)
• Pool deck with seating areas
• Improved exterior lighting, safety cameras, lighting fixtures, landscape, irrigation, site furnishings, entrance walkways, and meeting rooms.

The project will also preserve and celebrate Chicano Gothic, by Emigdio Vasquez. Painted in 1987 for the existing pool facility, this important piece of Santa Ana’s culture will be reinforced and restored in its original location and incorporated into the overall park master plan. The effort gives greater prominence to the mural, turning it into an entry marker that welcomes people into the reimagined Memorial Park.

Funding sources

Construction of the new Memorial Aquatics Center will cost $29,339,203. Five sources are funding the project and include:

1. American Rescue Plan Act funding (ARPA)
2. Acquisition & Development Funding
3. Cannabis Public Benefit Fund
4. Capital Outlay Fund
5. The City’s General Fund

Project history

In April 2023, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was released to solicit proposals for Architectural Design Services for a Park Master Plan and new Aquatics Facility at Memorial Park.  Twelve proposals were received, evaluated, and four firms were short listed and invited to an in-person interview. The firm chosen, ELS Architecture + Urban Design and SWA Group, submitted a striking proposal and delivered an impressive interview which showcased a robust, award-winning portfolio outlining their extensive experience designing aquatics facilities for both the private and public sector.

Community planning workshops

The timeline for the Memorial Park pool design feedback survey has ended.  Results are now being evaluated and considered as we continue during the design phase of the project, thank you to the community for your participation. 

Workshops conducted during  this time were held by the City of Santa Ana in partnership with the firm executing this project, ELS Architecture + Urban Design and SWA Group and included:

Park history

Established in May 1950, Memorial Park is a 16.3 acre city park located in the central-south area of the Santa Ana. The park was dedicated by former Governor Earl Warren as a “living memorial for future generations to honor the heroic lives who carried the battle for democracy”. The community center and pool are both of the original 1956 installation and the time has come for replacement, as routine maintenance and renovations are no longer effective, and the floor plan layout does not meet today’s programming needs. We look forward to the Memorial Park and pool areas reimagined.