Summary
A new nonprofit, Align With Purpose, launched a campaign to rebuild the Barnes Park pool, raising nearly $3,000 at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 13
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 7, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $2,907.60 raised so far toward pool restoration; total cost unknown.
Swimmers, swim teams, and families who lost community aquatic facilities when the pool closed.
Until funded, residents continue using an aging pool with no construction timeline.
Mentions & discussions (10)
City Council - Oct 7, 2026
The council authorized applying for a Statewide Park Development grant to help close the funding gap on the Barnes Park Pool rebuild — a project the council says is close to a lot of residents' hearts.
City Council - Aug 19, 2026
The city hired HGW Architecture to design the long-awaited replacement pool — a 50-meter competition pool plus a recreation pool. Design takes about 13 months and funding is only about a third secured, so community fundraising and grants remain critical.
City Council Special Community Meetings - Jun 9, 2026
The city landed a $6 million grant for the Barnes Park Pool rebuild, plus $500,000 in Measure A funds, but the project is estimated at $28-32 million — so community fundraising is still needed. Residents voted on design options through community surveys.
City Council - May 27, 2026
The pool project has a $6 million federal grant pending (with a $3 million city match already set aside), but the full build is estimated at $32.5 million — leaving a $25 million hole. Design work continues while the environmental review runs its course.
City Council - May 20, 2026
The pool project has state grant money but a construction estimate of $28-30 million, so the council formed a two-member subcommittee (Wong and Lo) to chase grants, sponsorships and partnerships. A resident also suggested leveraging LA 2028 Olympics opportunities like temporary pool loans and hosting an Olympic delegation.
City Council - May 6, 2026
The city won a $6 million state grant for the Barnes Park Aquatic Center — one of only 18 statewide — but there's still a funding gap and a match requirement. The council wants a subcommittee to chase more grants and close the gap before the grant clock runs out.
City Council - Apr 15, 2026
A new nonprofit, Align With Purpose, launched a campaign to rebuild the Barnes Park pool, raising nearly $3,000 at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
City Council - Apr 15, 2026
A new nonprofit, Aligned with Purpose, launched at the Cherry Blossom Festival to rebuild the closed Barnes Park Pool, raising nearly $2,900 so far. The founders are longtime residents and former MPHS/MKHS swimmers and lifeguards.
City Council - Mar 18, 2026
The old Barnes Park pool was filled in years ago after leaks and structural failures. The council picked Option B — a 50-meter competition pool plus a 25-yard recreation pool — favored by 64% of 1,200+ survey respondents, to use in grant applications. Construction is still estimated around $30 million, so community support and fundraising remain key.
City Council - Feb 4, 2026
Longtime pool advocates, including the diving community, urged the council to build a championship-caliber pool — deeper than the 12 feet proposed, with three-meter boards — especially if George Elder Pool may close.
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