Kids from East Los Angeles who dream of becoming the next Michael Phelps or Missy Franklin will now be able to train in their own community.

Los Angeles County officials are set to celebrate the grand opening Saturday of a new aquatic center at East L.A.'s Belvedere Park with diving and synchronized swimming demonstrations by youth enrolled in county park programs.

The $14.8-million center features the only Olympic-sized pool open to the public on Los Angeles County’s Eastside.

County Supervisor Gloria Molina, whose district includes East L.A. and who provided county money for the project, said in a statement she hopes the investment “will help level the playing field so Eastside kids can have a fair shot at Olympic gold.”


The old pool at the site, built in 1950, was demolished last year to make way for the new facility.

As well as the 12,750-square-foot Olympic pool, the center will hold a 2,550-square-foot pool for lessons and swimming laps, a children’s splash pool and a 1,100-square-foot leisure pool.

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