Bell Gardens renames Ford Park pool the “Dreamers Aquatic Center”
BELL GARDENS, CA — The Bell Gardens City Council voted unanimously Monday night to rename the new John Anson Ford Park Regional Aquatics Center as the Dreamers Aquatic Center.
Mayor Marco Bárcena, who introduced the motion, said the new name reflects the community’s belief in hope and resilience.
“Given that this is the biggest project that we've ever done in the City of Bell Gardens, given how much time and resources it's taken, but more importantly, given that we're in a very difficult time in our history as a country. I think the theme of hope is extremely important,” Bárcena said. “I think that having a dream, having aspirations for a better future, is essential for our society.”
“I feel that renaming the pool to Dreamers Aquatic Center will be highly relevant and appropriate, especially for our community,” he said.
Bárcena said the new name was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech, which he described as central to the civil rights and human rights movements.
“Dreamers” is also a term used to refer to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children who grew up without legal status, with an estimated 2.5 million living in the country. Their protection from deportation has become uncertain under the Trump administration, according to The Guardian.
The motion directs staff to update signage and plaques once all grant reimbursements for construction are finalized.
The Dreamers Aquatic Center officially opens to the public on Saturday, Oct. 18, marking the city’s first open pool in nearly a decade. The $31.3 million facility includes a 50-meter Olympic-size pool, a therapy pool, a fitness room, and a water play area with slides.
Hours of Operation:
Monday–Thursday: 6–10 a.m., 12–8 p.m.
Friday: 6–10 a.m., 12–6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Programs include swim lessons, aqua aerobics, senior water fitness, lap swimming, and recreational swim for all ages. The fitness room will be open to guests ages 13 and older.
Fees are designed to keep the center affordable, with most daily programs costing $1 for children and seniors and $2 for adults, rates unchanged since 2016. Swim lessons cost $35 for residents and $45 for non-residents, and through a grant from the LA84 Foundation, up to 715 participants will receive lessons for free.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For more information about programs and schedules, contact the city’s Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 806-7650.
