Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Reopens Earlier Than Planned After Olympic Assessment

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, which had been set for closure through Wednesday for Olympic assessment, reopened ahead of schedule on Saturday and is “back in business” already.

The Pasadena facility, designated by LA28 as the 2028 Summer Games diving venue, had closed its Competition and Recreation pools April 13 for what it described as an Olympic pool assessment, with normal operations originally scheduled to resume April 22.

But Executive Director Melanie Sauer said in a Friday community message that the Recreation Pool had reopened that morning at 5:30 a.m. and that the Competition Pool would follow at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18, four days earlier than announced.

“Following the successful opening of the Rec Pool on Friday, April 17, and completion of the Olympic assessment, the Competition Pool will reopen on Saturday, April 18 at 5:30 a.m.,” Sauer said in the message.

The facility fully resumed normal hours Sunday, April 19, according to its updates page.

“This early reopening is a direct result of the outstanding work from our maintenance team and staff, and we’re grateful for their effort in getting our facility back up and running,” Sauer said.

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Sept. 10, 2025, to approve LA28’s proposal to relocate Olympic diving from the John C. Argue Swim Stadium at Exposition Park, which hosted swimming during the 1932 Olympic Games, to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. LA28 first proposed the change Aug. 27, 2025.

According to LA28, the relocation accounts for up to $17.6 million in combined revenue increases and cost savings for the Games. An LA City report cited by CBS News said LA28 had determined the Argue Swim Stadium pool would require complete reconstruction to meet Olympic standards.

Olympic diving is scheduled at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center from July 16 through July 28, 2028, with a two-day hiatus, totaling 11 days of competition, according to the Rose Bowl Diving LA28 information page.

The Rose Bowl Stadium will host men’s and women’s soccer semifinals and finals. Swimming events will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, a nonprofit founded in 1990 at 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. in Brookside Park, serves more than 400,000 patrons annually, according to the facility.

According to the facility’s updates page, the center will operate fully through 2026 and for a partial period in 2027 as diving venue preparations advance.

“Thank you for your continued patience and support throughout this process,” Sauer said. “We’re excited to welcome everyone back and get back to doing what we love.”