Just as Michael Phelps was setting historic competitive swimming records in London at the 2012 Olympics, a new $10 million Norman S. Johnson Aquatics Center at L.A. County’s Arcadia Park opened this week with what appears to be three different pools instead of one, and all new bathhouse facilities.
The primary 6,150- square-foot competition swimming pool is complemented by a 6,300-square- foot recreation and therapy pool that includes a nearly separate splash pad with water fountains that spray water in the air and on swimmers.
The new aquatics center will continue to offer swim lessons, recreational swimming, swim team, water polo team, synchronized swimming and diving teams. It will also offer aqua-aerobics classes and will soon add a skin-diving class.
Facing $80,000 in repair bills following chemical contamination, the County opted to keep the pool closed and get an early start on a previously planned $8 million, 18-month improvement project. The County opened Arcadia Park in 1938.
Shower stalls at right are part of new bath house
