STOCKTON, Calif. — It has been little more than a decade since the historic Victory Park Pool was closed, but years of efforts to get it back open are inching closer to paying off.
The Stockton community and elected leaders came together Wednesday evening to break ground on the new Victory Park swimming pool at 1001 Pershing Avenue.
“It is time for overhaul, and I am glad it is finally getting it,” said Tanya Wilson, who swam at the pool when she was a child, and her daughter swam it, years decades later.
The City of Stockton said the space will be transformed with a brand new 75-foot pool, splash pad, ADA-compliant features, new office, mechanical building, dedicated restrooms and staff parking.
The project is estimated to cost $10.2 million.
City Manager Harry Black said $6 million came from the city’s Measure M, $2.7 million from the California State Parks, $1.1 million from the City Council and the remaining $500,000 from the efforts from State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman.
“This is a focal point for this neighborhood,” Black said. “Excited we can deliver this back to this neighborhood.”
“It is projects like this that make Stockton more enjoyable and livable,” said Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln.
The original pool opened in the late 1940’s and closed 65 years later in 2013 after the city said maintenance issues were beyond repair.
“To bring it back is a huge plus for this neighborhood, but all of Stockton,” said Katya Evanhoe, who is with Friends of Victory Park Pool.
Evanhoe and the group have been advocating for the pool’s replacement.
“Pools save lives,” Evanhoe said. “I am a retired schoolteacher, and I taught third grade for 30-plus years. So many of my students did not know how to swim. Young kids need to learn how to swim.”
Black said the pool is estimated to open late summer 2025.
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