LA County Parks and Rec
June 11, 2025
Contact:
PIO@parks.lacounty.gov
 Hilda L. Solis New Aquatic Center to Open in the San Gabriel Valley
The state-of-the-art facility offers Olympic sized pools, year-round swim lessons and water safety programs, bringing vital recreational resources to unincorporated communities in the San Gabriel Valley.
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County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, the Department of Public Works, and Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, will host the grand opening of the Hilda L. Solis Aquatic Center—the first County-operated aquatic facility in the San Gabriel Valley. The new facility is located in West Puente Valley, a grouping of unincorporated communities within the San Gabriel Valley, on the former Temple Academy site.
The long-anticipated project, championed by Chair Pro Tem Solis, brings Olympic-level aquatic and recreational resources to underserved communities, including Avocado Heights, Bassett, Rowland Heights, and surrounding areas.
The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, community tours, and demonstrations of aquatic programs, including youth swimming lessons and water safety education.
The Hilda L. Solis Aquatic Center represents a major investment in equitable access to recreational facilities across the San Gabriel Valley. It includes an Olympic-sized pool, a practice pool, classrooms, and public park space. The center will offer year-round, low- or no-cost programs in swimming, water safety, and youth sports.
This project is especially meaningful to Chair Pro Tem Solis, who attended school on the same site and has remained a steadfast advocate for access to safe, inclusive public spaces.
WHAT:
Grand opening of the Hilda L. Solis Aquatic Center
WHEN:
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Program begins at 10 a.m.
WHERE:
Hilda L. Solis Aquatic Center
14804 Temple Ave.
West Puente Valley, CA 91744
WHO:Â
- Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Chair Pro Tem, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, First District
- Norma E. GarcÃa-González, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Mark Pestrella Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
- Alfonso Jiménez, Superintendent, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
- Mark Stanley, Executive Officer, San Gabriel & Lower Los Angeles Rivers & Mountains Conservancy
VISUALS:Â
- Ribbon-cutting ceremony
- 500 community members enjoying the aquatic facility
- Youth swim programs
- Interviews with Norma E. GarcÃa-González and project leaders
- Performance by the USA Synchronized Swim Team
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About the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and RecreationÂ
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages 183 parks. It also operates a network of 9 regional parks, 38 neighborhood parks, 20 community parks, 16 wildlife sanctuaries, 8 nature centers, 44 public swimming pools, 25 splash pads, 14 lakes including 3 with swimming beaches, more than 240 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and the largest municipal golf system in the nation, consisting of 20 golf courses at 18 facilities. The department also maintains four botanical centers: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns the iconic Hollywood Bowl, and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre (The Ford), providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources. Visit:Â https://parks.lacounty.gov/
About Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis
Hilda L. Solis is a lifelong San Gabriel Valley resident and graduate of La Puente High School, Cal Poly Pomona, and the University of Southern California. She began her public service career on the Rio Hondo Community College Board and later served in the California Assembly, State Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. Solis made history as the first Latina to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet when she was appointed U.S. secretary of labor under President Barack Obama. She currently serves as Supervisor for Los Angeles County’s First District and as Chair Pro Tem of the Board of Supervisors.