Many have noticed an empty space of beachfront in Belmont Shore next to the Belmont Pool. It is the former site of the historic Long Beach Belmont Pool built in 1968 by Tom Marchese, a former civil engineer from the city of Long Beach. The Pool served more than 200,000 annual visitors during its use and hosted both competitive aquatics and recreational swim communities. The structure was torn down in 2014 due to safety concerns.
Long Beach is currently planning a 50-meter pool to be part of the Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center project, according to belmontpool.com.
Here is what people are saying:
One Long Beach resident, Bob Johnson, said he had fun learning to swim there and he’ll never forget the experience.
Long Beach Parks Director Brent Dennis said: “I’m pleased that the long-awaited, new Belmont Pool will soon become a reality. Recognizing Long Beach’s sports renown as the Aquatics Capital of America, future Olympians will soon have a world class pool to train and compete in.”
Long Beach Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan said: “I am very excited to help progress the Belmont Pool project with the City Council approving the design late last year. Staff is currently working to update the plans and permitting, and I look forward to giving the community a comprehensive update when we have more information available.”
Debby McCormick of McCormick Divers said: “McCormick Divers is a springboard and platform diving team which formerly trained at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, built for the Olympic Trials. The Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool was a huge glass complex, right on the beach, with great sunset views of the Queen Mary. It was the only indoor complex in Southern California with a full complement of springboards and platforms. Our divers currently train at the Martin Luther King Park Pool and the new Long Beach City College pool at the Liberal Arts Aquatics Complex. When the new Belmont Pool is complete, it will again be home to McCormick Divers.”
For more information, visit http://www.belmontpool.com.
