Diana Vargas says her children were turned away from Santa Ana’s new aquatic center and told it was “only for VIPs.”
Vargas, a longtime resident of the Memorial Park neighborhood, had taken her kids to the grand opening of the $29.3 million Memorial Park Aquatic Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, expecting them to finally swim in the new pool and try its water slide. Instead, her family was denied entry while local politicians posed for photos at the ribbon-cutting ceremony just weeks before the November election.
“It’s only for VIPs, and it’s only for certain Washington Elementary kids. You will be able to go in at 1:30 p.m.,” Vargas recalled being told, according to her account to The Voice of OC.
“My youngest son goes, ‘Mom, it’s okay, Mom. We could go to the other pool,'” Vargas continued. “I’ve been taking them to other cities and other pools, and the kids are like, ‘It’s okay, Mom. We could go to the other pools–they won’t say anything.'”
While Vargas’ children were shut out, elected officials including Congressman Lou Correa took advantage of the photo opportunity. City Council candidate Giovanni Chavez posted a video on Instagram featuring Correa promoting the new aquatic center as an example of expanded city services.
The facility has yet to fully open to the public despite the October 17 ceremony, even though it is supposed to offer year-round swimming programs. Some councilmembers told The Voice of OC they were unaware the pools would remain closed following the event.
City Manager Alvaro Nuñez acknowledged problems in an email to councilmembers obtained through Councilman Ben Vazquez. “We recognize the importance of clear communication and timely community access. The concerns regarding staff communication, program planning, and delays in activating the aquatic center are under review through the City’s internal personnel process,” Nuñez wrote.
“That review will determine appropriate corrective measures, including disciplinary action if warranted. Our priority remains ensuring that the facility serves the community as intended,” he added.
City Spokesman Paul Eakins declined to answer questions over the phone Monday, directing the outlet to submit inquiries by email. He did not respond afterward, and Nuñez also did not respond to a request for comment.
Vazquez criticized the city’s handling of the opening, arguing that children should not have been denied entry and that parents could have completed any necessary paperwork at the facility. “They should just be open and transparent and say this is what we did. They didn’t see it coming, and part of it was the Emigdio Vasquez mural not being open on the same day, so they were kind of thrown off with that,” he said, referring to the city manager’s office.
The opening has also drawn criticism from artists who say the ceremony was rushed, interfering with efforts to restore a historic Chicano mural at the facility.
Vargas believes the ceremony was more about giving politicians an opportunity to take pictures than allowing neighborhood families to enjoy the new facility. “You go to other cities and they handle this professionally. No special treatment for a certain group. I’m your neighbor, I live down the street, and my kids couldn’t go. That’s disappointing. If they had said it was only for certain groups, they should have said that on their flier, and I wouldn’t have sent my husband with my kids only to have them turned away,” she told The Voice.
Questions remain about when residents will actually be able to use the pools, whether admission will be free and why the city held a grand opening before the facility was ready. Vazquez said the latest information he had received indicated the pools would open in May.
Several officials in attendance are seeking reelection in November, including Mayor Pro Tem Juan Villegas, Councilmembers Nelida Amezcua and Jose Solorio, and Vazquez himself. David Penaloza and Lopez are competing for a seat in the state Assembly.