Rose Bowl Aquatics Center to Update City Commission on 2028 Olympic Plans

The Northwest Commission is scheduled to hear a presentation Tuesday from the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center on its programs, facility enhancements and a five-year plan that includes serving as the Olympic diving venue for the 2028 Summer Games.

The briefing is being delivered by Melanie Sauer, the center’s executive director.

The presentation, framed by the center under the title “Rising to the Moment 2026,” is intended to acquaint commissioners with the breadth of the nonprofit’s work in the Northwest and the operational challenges it expects to face during and after Olympic-related construction.

According to the presentation, the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center describes itself as a “world-class aquatics nonprofit organization that creates lifelong opportunities for our community to thrive,” with a mission of promoting community and well-being through water safety, aquatic programs, and competition. The center’s stated values are impact, collaboration and diversity.

The presentation outlines the center’s plans for the 2028 Summer Olympics, for which it has been designated the Olympic diving venue under the LA28 Games. According to the deck, the venue was built with Olympic legacy funding from LA84, private donors and the city of Pasadena. The center’s “Olympic/RBAC Timeline” describes a three-phase approach: pre-Games renovation, community engagement across all aquatic programming and a “women in sports” focus; during-Games exclusive use of the facility, with relocated programming through “RBAC on the Road,” continued community benefit, employee development and partnerships; and post-Games amplification of the venue as a world-class event location, continued community well-being, and what the deck calls “RBAC on the Road Beyond 2028.”

The deck states that the impact of 2028 will include facility upgrades — such as a new tower, an enhanced facility and new mechanicals — new economic impact for the city of Pasadena, and what the presentation calls “generational” inspiration for the local aquatics community. Among the challenges the center says it would need to overcome are pool space with parking for “RBAC on the Road,” office space during displacement, funding for expanded programming, workforce development, facility improvement and footprint limits. Future challenges identified include reengaging the community, staff retention, balancing competitive and recreational identity, sustaining community financial assistance and the third-grade program, and program-space capacity, which the deck reports is at 100% and 97%.

Located in the heart of the Arroyo in Pasadena, east from the Rose Bowl Stadium, the center was founded in 1989, funded by the LA84 Foundation, and opened in 1990, the deck states. Its facility includes administrative offices, locker rooms, family changing rooms, a small fitness center, an aquatic shop, dining and extensive parking. On deck, the facility offers two 50-meter pools — one competitive and one recreational — one therapy pool and two hot tubs.

If the Commission ultimately makes a recommendation tied to the presentation, the Pasadena City Council would have final authority over any city action.

The Northwest Commission is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue, in Pasadena. For more information call (626) 744-7311 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas/.