If you grew up in Southern California anywhere near the coast, you probably remember the old Belmont Plaza Pool. It was this massive, slightly intimidating concrete box sitting right on the sand. It smelled like heavy-duty chlorine and echoes. It wasn’t just a place to splash around; it was a cathedral for competitive swimming. But if you drive down Ocean Boulevard today, you won't see that iconic structure. You’ll see a temporary outdoor pool and a lot of empty space where a $100 million-plus project is supposed to be.
Honestly, the Belmont Pool Long Beach saga is one of the most frustrating pieces of local infrastructure history. It’s a mix of bad luck, seismic reality, and the kind of bureaucratic red tape that only happens when you try to build something huge on a California beach.
The original Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool opened back in 1968. It hosted the Olympic Trials that same year. For decades, it was the crown jewel of the city. But by 2013, the party was over. Engineers realized the building was a "soft-story" structure, meaning if a big earthquake hit, the whole thing would likely pancake. The city shut it down, eventually demolished it in late 2014, and since then, we’ve been waiting for the "real" replacement.
The Reality of the Temporary Belmont Pool
Right now, if you want to swim at the Belmont Pool Long Beach, you’re headed to the "temporary" outdoor facility. It’s located just south of the original site. Is it world-class? No. Is it functional? Absolutely.
The temporary pool is a million-gallon outdoor tank that serves the community, local high school teams, and water polo clubs. Because it’s outdoors, you’re dealing with the elements. Swimming there in January at 6:00 AM is a different vibe than the old indoor setup. You’ve got the sea breeze, the sound of the Pacific, and occasionally, a bit too much wind for a perfect butterfly stroke.
The city spent millions just on this "stopgap" measure. It includes a 50-meter competition pool and a separate smaller pool for lessons and recreation. It’s been the hub for the Long Beach Shore Aquatics and various masters programs for years now. People love it because it’s a pool by the ocean, but there’s a lingering sense of "when is the real one coming?"
Why the New Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center is Stuck
The project for the permanent replacement, officially named the Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center, has been a rollercoaster. The price tag started high and kept climbing. We’re talking about a facility that was once estimated at $103 million and has since ballooned toward $120 million and beyond.
Why so expensive?
- It’s on the sand. You can’t just pour a slab.
- Sea-level rise is a massive factor for the California Coastal Commission.
- It needs to be earthquake-proof in a way the old one wasn't.
- The design includes a massive "transparent" roof and walls to keep that indoor/outdoor feel.
The California Coastal Commission has been the biggest hurdle. They aren't just worried about the building; they care about public access. They want to make sure a giant, expensive swim stadium doesn't block the view or the path for everyday folks who just want to walk on the beach. There were years of back-and-forth about the height of the diving towers and the footprint of the building.
What the New Pool is Actually Supposed to Be
When—or if—this thing finally gets finished, it’s going to be insane. The plans call for several different pools. You’ll have the primary 50-meter competition pool, which is the bread and butter for the swimming community. Then there’s a separate diving well. This is a big deal because the old Belmont pool was one of the few places in the region with a full platform setup.
But it’s not just for the pros.
The city has been adamant about including "recreational water." That means splash pads, a shallow pool for kids, and areas for water aerobics. They’re trying to avoid the "elitist" tag that sometimes follows high-end sports complexes. They want a place where a kid from North Long Beach can learn to swim just as easily as an Olympic hopeful can practice their turns.
The design by the architecture firm Studio One Eleven is pretty striking. It’s meant to look airy and light, a stark contrast to the brutalist concrete box of the 60s. They’re using ETFE (the same stuff used on the SoFi Stadium roof) to let in natural light while protecting swimmers from the wind. It’s smart, but it’s expensive.
The 2028 Olympic Connection
You can’t talk about the Belmont Pool Long Beach without talking about the Olympics. With the Games coming to Los Angeles in 2028, Long Beach is positioned to be a major player. The city is slated to host several events, including marathon swimming and triathlon in the waterfront area.
Initially, many hoped the new Belmont facility would be the centerpiece for Olympic water polo or swimming. However, as the timeline dragged on, the organizers had to make other plans. Most of the primary swimming events for 2028 are now headed to a temporary pool inside SoFi Stadium. Still, the Belmont site remains a critical training ground and a potential host for smaller international competitions leading up to the Games. The pressure is on to have something world-class ready by the time the world's eyes are on the LBC.
Navigating the Current Belmont Pool Experience
If you’re planning to visit the current Belmont Pool Long Beach setup, don't expect a spa. It’s a workhorse facility. You show up, you pay your few bucks for lap swim, and you get your yards in.
- Parking: It’s a massive lot, but it fills up fast on weekends when there’s a water polo tournament. Bring quarters or use the app, because the parking enforcement in Long Beach does not play around.
- The Wind Factor: If you’re a serious swimmer, check the weather. When the wind kicks up off the water, it can create a literal chop in the lanes. It’s good for "toughness" training, but annoying for a casual workout.
- The Crowd: You’ll see everyone from 80-year-old legends who have been swimming there since the Nixon administration to high schoolers who can out-sprint a shark.
There’s a certain grit to the place right now. It feels temporary, yet it’s been there for a decade. It’s a reminder of what was lost and a placeholder for what’s been promised.
Funding and the "Bird Pier" Drama
The funding for this project has been a political football. Long Beach uses Tidelands funds—money generated from oil operations and other activities on the coast—to pay for these types of projects. But oil revenue isn't what it used to be. The city has had to get creative, and occasionally, that leads to budget cuts that make people angry.
One of the more controversial aspects of the redevelopment wasn't even the pool itself, but the "rebuilt" pier. People loved the old Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. The plan was to integrate the pool and the pier into one massive coastal destination. But as costs rose, the "grand vision" started getting trimmed. Some residents feel like they’re being sold a Cadillac and delivered a Chevy.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Project
A lot of people think the delay is just "city incompetence." While it’s easy to blame City Hall, the reality is more complex. Building anything on the California coast requires permits from about a dozen different agencies. Each one has its own set of demands. The State Lands Commission, the Coastal Commission, the Army Corps of Engineers—they all have to sign off.
Another misconception is that the pool is "just for athletes." Honestly, the data shows that the old pool had more recreational hours than competitive ones. The goal for the new Belmont Pool Long Beach is to maintain that balance. If it becomes a place where only the elite can play, it will have failed the community that’s been paying for it with their patience.
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Actionable Steps for Swimmers and Locals
If you want to make the most of the current situation or stay informed on the build, here’s how to actually handle it:
- Check the Lap Swim Schedule Daily: Because the temporary pool hosts so many teams, the "open" hours for the public shift constantly. Don't just show up at 4:00 PM and expect a lane; you'll likely walk into a high school water polo match. Use the official Long Beach Parks and Rec website to verify times.
- Buy a Pass: If you’re going more than twice a week, the drop-in fees are a rip-off. Get a monthly or 10-entry pass to save a significant amount of cash.
- Attend City Council Tidelands Meetings: If you actually care about the design or the timeline, these are the meetings where the budget decisions happen. Public comment actually matters here because the Coastal Commission looks at community feedback.
- Prepare for Outdoor Conditions: Bring a heavy parka or a "swim parka" if you’re going in the winter. The walk from the pool to the showers at the temporary facility is notoriously chilly when the sun goes down.
- Support Local Clubs: Groups like the Long Beach Groundlings or local youth clubs are the ones fighting hardest to keep this project alive. Supporting them helps keep the pressure on the city to finish the permanent center.
The Belmont Pool Long Beach isn't just a place to swim. It’s a symbol of the city's identity as a "gymnasium of the world." For now, we’ve got a temporary tank and a lot of blueprints. It’s not perfect, but it’s what we’ve got, and the water is still wet.