View the construction progress Instagram reels below:

• April 16, 2024 - Fencing Installed
• May 22, 2024 - Ground Breaking Ceremony & Demolition
• June 26, 2024 - Demolition Phase Complete
• August 13, 2024 -Bulldozers and footings
• August 28, 2024 - Laying the new building foundation
• September 19, 2024 - Concrete floor and renderings
• October 10, 2024 - Started installing the CMU walls 
• October 20, 2024 - Construction progress pictures
• October 27, 2024 - Construction progress video
• November 5, 2024 - Aerial Photo of Bell Gardens Aquatic Center Project

John Anson Ford Park Regional Aquatics Center Improvements

The new Aquatics Center at Ford Park is coming soon! Updates as of November 11, 2024.

Project Costs: 

On January 22, 2024, the City awarded a contract to Bernards Bros. Inc. for the construction of the project for an amount of $26,334,000.  Based on the awarded contract amount, the project’s total estimated cost is approximately $31.27 million as illustrated below:

• Funding Sources:

• $3.17 million from CDBG FY 2019, FY 2020, FY 2021, FY 2022 and FY 2023 allocations
• $6 million from Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant (State Parks)
• $2 million from Assemblymember Cristina Garcia
• $1.5 million from HUD - Fiscal Year 2023 Economic Development Initiative - Community Project Funding Grant
• $4 million from Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
• $14.6 million from City’s General Fund. 

Staff is actively seeking additional funding sources to minimize the impact to the City’s General Fund.

Completed Progress to Date:

• Project’s construction plans were approved by all necessary agencies.
• City received a Notice to Proceed from the National Park Service for the use of Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant.
• City completed HUD’s NEPA review requirements and received Authority to Use Grant Funds.
• City hired Ardurra as the Construction Management and Inspection Firm.  Ardurra has since:

• Conducted a constructability review and updated the project cost estimate
• Prepared a Request for Qualifications to pre-qualify construction contractors
• Assisted with preparation of Notice Inviting Sealed Bids
• Performed bid analysis of bids received from potential contractors
• Facilitated a pre-construction meeting with the selected contractor
• Oversaw demolition activities
• Now overseeing construction activities and contractor submittal review

   

• City issued a Notice to Proceed with construction to Bernards on April 9, 2024.  Bernards has since:

•  Pulled City building permits and Public Works permit for construction of the project
• Installed construction fencing and construction signage at the project site
• Installed the construction office trailers at the project site
• Provided material submittals for City review
• Commenced construction of the project

Construction Activities Completed Through September 30, 2024:

• Ford Park parking lot enhancements to improve circulation and access, including a new driveway entrance and a widened entry on the east side of the park
• Installation of temporary power poles to provide power for the construction office trailers and the Ford Park administration and gym building
• Pool building power shut-off and removal of Edison meter
• Removal of lead-based paint and asbestos containing material
• Removal of the underground fuel storage tank
• Completion of demolition activities, including removal of the pool building, pool, and surrounding structures
• Installation of a concrete walking path to connect the Sports Center to Ford Park
• Installation of a permanent fence along the new walking path from the Sports Center to Ford Park
• Excavation and grading of the site for the three new pools and aquatics building
• Completion of excavation for underground utilities
• Installation of site utilities
• Completion of rough grading
• Installation of sewer lines and electrical conduits under new Aquatics building footprint
• Installation of water lines
• Poured concrete for surge chamber room slab and walls and backfilled the surge pit chamber room
• Poured concrete for new Aquatics building foundation
• Completed excavation for the competition pool
• Completed excavation for the activity pool
• Completed fine grading for the competition pool
• Completed fine grading for the activity pool
• Completed installation of stormwater treatment CDS unit, including piping, and backfilled the CDS unit
• Excavated, installed, and backfilled 8” and 12” storm drain lines
• Began construction of new Aquatics building with installation of concrete masonry unit (CMU) blocks, including rebar, reaching over 15 feet in height  
• Approved project material submittals
• Ordered equipment, materials, and supplies for the project

Upcoming Construction Activities for next month:

• Continue construction of new Aquatics building with CMU blocks
• Install plumbing lines and conduits for activity pool
• Install plumbing lines, main drain boxes, and floor inlets for competition pool
• Excavate for exterior perimeter CMU block walls
• Begin installation of exterior perimeter CMU block walls
• Excavate for terraced lawn walls
• Begin installation of terraced lawn walls

The Recreation and Community Services Department will continue to provide the community with Aquatics programming out of Chet Holifield Pool in Montebello located at Chet Holifield Park: 1060 S. Greenwood Ave. Montebello, CA 90640.

Environmental Review Documents 

John Anson Ford Park - Part 58 EA Form Final - Complete (NEPA Cat. Exclusion)

JAFP RACI - FONSI and RROF