A new beginning for El Segundo’s more than 80-year-old public pool is officially coming.
The city held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 20, for the renovation of its Urho Saari Swim Stadium, also known as The Plunge, marking the start of a new era for one of El Segundo’s most-cherished community landmarks.
The facility, 219 W. Mariposa Ave., is slated to reopen in fall 2025. It closed in 2019 because of ongoing maintenance issues.
Most of the $14 million project is being paid for out of the city’s capital improvement program, but El Segundo, along with the nonprofit South Bay Sports, Health and Recreation, has been fundraising to fill a $5 million gap.
El Segundo has so far raised about $1.6 million in donations from corporate sponsors and individuals in the community, city spokesperson Diane Chaaban said Tuesday.
The upcoming new facility is meant to enhance the city’s aquatics program for all ages with swim and fitness classes, adaptive programs, community events and more, while preserving the stadium’s history.
Since before 2016, staffers had been patching up leaks to keep the aging facility afloat — but now it’ll get a real fresh start.
The aquatic center, which first opened in 1941, was named after Uhro Saari, who started the city’s swimming program and served as director of The Plunge. The former El Segundo High School swim and water polo coach became one of the most accomplished in California, training more than 30 water polo Olympians, serving on the Olympic Water Polo Committee several times, and being named National Water Polo Coach of the Year in 1964.
He was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1976.
His legacy is more than a local legend, according to a biography on South Bay Sports, Health and Recreation’s website; he became one of the most-respected water polo and swimming coaches in the nation. As he made his mark, The Plunge served as a training ground for numerous swimmers and water polo players, becoming a cornerstone of the community and a beacon for aspiring athletes.
By Tyler Shaun Evains | August 21, 2024 | Visit the Daily Breeze to Read the Entire Article
South Bay Sports, Health & Recreation
2041 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200
El Segundo, CA 90245
info@sbshr.org
Bureau of Real Estate License
#00425814
If you need additional contribution information, please contact Sherry Kramer, skramer@continentaldevelopment.com.
P: (310) 640-1520, Ext. 236
F: (310) 414-9279
City of El Segundo
Aly Mancini, Director
(310) 524-2730
amancini@elsegundo.org
