Bits 'n' Pieces

Aquatics Center Approved

The Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center (BBAC) has been approved by the Long Beach City Council, which authorized construction to move forward with Bernards Bros. as the selected contractor. This milestone action transitions the long-planned project from planning to construction and brings the city closer to delivering a modern, inclusive aquatics facility along the waterfront.

The project has progressed through a complex and challenging journey shaped by rising construction costs, coastal regulatory requirements, and the need to redesign earlier concepts to ensure long-term financial sustainability while preserving the community’s core priorities.

“Reaching this point required careful planning, transparency and responsible stewardship of public resources,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “Our focus was on delivering a project that is inclusive, financially responsible and buildable – one that balances fiscal realities and regulatory frameworks so the final result can serve Long Beach for generations to come.”

The effort to replace the former Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool began after the facility was demolished in 2014 due to seismic safety concerns. Over the years, the city worked closely with residents, community organizations and technical experts to refine the project’s scope and design. In January 2025, the city hosted a community meeting to share updated plans, renderings, cost information and anticipated timelines.

Since that time, the revised project has completed plan check and permitting approvals, including approval by the California Coastal Commission, and was released for competitive bidding among prequalified contractors. Following a thorough evaluation, Bernards Bros. was selected based on its experience, qualifications and demonstrated ability to deliver complex public projects within coastal and regulatory environments at a competitive cost.

The Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) currently operates three public pools, Silverado Park Pool, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Pool and the temporary Belmont Pool, which offer open swim sessions, numerous aquatics classes and youth camps. In 2025, nearly 64,000 patrons visited city pools for lap and recreational swimming, emphasizing the ongoing interest and community need in investing in aquatics facilities.

The BBAC is designed to support a wide range of recreational, instructional and competitive uses for the community. The facility will include a 50-meter outdoor competition pool with a movable bulkhead to allow flexible programming for lap swimming, training and events, as well as a separate recreational and instructional pool featuring a zero-depth entry, spray features and dedicated space for swim instruction and water play. Supporting amenities will include shaded spectator seating, bleachers, locker rooms, showers, family changing areas and public restrooms.

“The addition of the new Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center will build upon our existing suite of aquatics facilities and programming that will allow us to better serve our community through high-quality, safe and accessible aquatics recreation,” said Stephen P. Scott, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. “This is an exciting step forward in a long-awaited process. The new facility will be a place where families gather, skills are built and lifelong connections to recreation and wellness begin for patrons of all ages.”

Accessibility and inclusivity are central to both the facility’s design and its operations. Universal access features include zero-depth pool entry, pool lifts, accessible restrooms and family changing rooms. In addition, PRM, who will oversee facility operations once complete, will adopt a public access program that emphasizes equitable programming and outreach, including potential opportunities such as after-school and weekend swim programs, summer camps, partnerships with schools and community organizations in underserved areas, transportation assistance for people with limited mobility or access, and reduced or subsidized swim lessons and admission fees. These measures are intended to remove barriers to access and ensure the facility serves residents citywide. More information about these opportunities will be shared publicly as details come to fruition and are finalized.

“Delivering the required extensive coordination, technical expertise, and collaboration across city departments,” said Public Works Director Josh Hickman. “With this approval, we are ready to move into construction and deliver a thoughtfully designed facility that meets coastal requirements, prioritizes accessibility, and provides long-term value for the community.”

The approved project will deliver long-term community benefits while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The current design has been refined to align with available funding while preserving essential programming, accessibility features and community-serving amenities.

The construction contract awarded to Bernards Bros. is valued at approximately $60 million. Funding is provided primarily through the city’s Tidelands Fund and authorized appropriations, with a remaining funding gap identified and addressed through ongoing financial planning. Tidelands Funds are restricted dollars and can only be spent on projects on the coast per state law.

With construction now authorized, the city anticipates breaking ground Summer 2026 and expects the BBAC to be completed and ready to serve the community in advance of the 2028 Olympic Games.

For more information on total costs, financing details and to view the final facility design, visit BelmontPool.com.

Scholarships Available

Applications are now available for the Port of Long Beach’s Scholarship Program and Summer High School Internship Program. Details for both programs, eligibility information and online applications can be found on the port’s website at www.polb.com/education.

The scholarships are open to high school seniors attending Long Beach Unified School District-area high schools and pursuing higher education or training in careers in international trade, logistics, engineering and other port-related industries. In addition to students who will be attending college full-time, the scholarship program also includes students in trade programs and those enrolling part-time.

For 2026, the Port has increased the program’s budget by $50,000, awarding a total of $400,000 for high school and college scholarships. Scholarships will range from $500 to $6,000.

Applications for port scholarships for students already attending Long Beach City College; Orange Coast College; California State University, Long Beach; and Cal Poly Maritime Academy are handled in each school’s scholarship application office. Please contact them directly for more details.

High school internships are available to current high school juniors and seniors who reside in Long Beach or attend a high school in the Long Beach Unified School District service area. Participating high school student interns will gain hands-on experience as they work alongside Harbor Department staff. The program lasts six weeks, from June 22 through July 30.

“The Port offers these programs as part of our commitment to shape the next generation of leaders in the goods movement industry,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “The goal is to introduce young students to port-related careers and invest in their professional future, while at the same time building the skilled workforce of the future to ensure we remain a world-renowned trade gateway in the decades ahead.”

“An opportunity for a scholarship or an internship can give meaningful support for a young person’s future,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “The Port of Long Beach is proud to offer programs like these to help local students interested in careers in the goods movement industry reach their professional goals.”

The deadline for both programs is Friday, Feb. 20; no late applications will be accepted. Applicants are advised to read the instructions carefully.

QM Observes 90 Years

Ninety years after embarking on her maiden voyage, The Queen Mary remains one of the most recognizable and revered ships in the world. First setting sail in 1936, the legendary ocean liner will honor that historic journey throughout 2026 with a year-long anniversary celebration, inviting guests to experience new experiences, exhibits and limited-time offerings throughout the year.

Once the most advanced ocean liner in the world, the Queen Mary redefined transatlantic travel with her groundbreaking engineering, Art Deco design and unmatched elegance. Over the decades, she has served as a luxury liner, a WWII troopship and ultimately a cultural and historic treasure permanently docked in Long Beach. Today, she remains one of the most recognizable ships in the world, an active preservation site and vibrant destination offering award-winning dining, immersive tours, festivals and overnight stays aboard a true maritime legend.

“Celebrating the Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary is about honoring her extraordinary legacy while continuing to create meaningful experiences for today’s guests,” said Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary. “This anniversary year reflects our commitment to preserving her history, unveiling new stories and welcoming the community aboard to experience why the Queen Mary continues to matter nine decades after she first set sail.”

Throughout the 2026 anniversary year, guests can expect special anniversary decor, limited-time merchandise and themed offerings across the ship, along with rotating programming designed to spotlight the Queen Mary’s history, artistry and continued evolution. A commemorative 90th Anniversary logo will appear across marketing materials, digital platforms and select onboard experiences.

Highlights of the Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary year include the launch new exhibits and attractions including a new “Embarkation Tour,” which reimagines how guests experience the Queen Mary, and the debut of “Dining Through the Decades,” a period-true menu available at the Chelsea Chowder House.

The ship will celebrate with ongoing preservation and restoration efforts, along with new displays that bring her history to life. Among them is the presentation of an original medallion distributed during the ship’s maiden voyage. The anniversary year will also feature a lineup of special events, from Art Deco dances and themed date nights to large-scale celebrations, including a Food & Wine Festival. 

Of the many special moments planned during the Queen Mary’s 90th anniversary year, May 27, 2026 will mark the official date of her maiden voyage with a special community day. To honor the occasion, the Queen Mary will host a special community day, opening her doors for free public admission in celebration of the ship’s historic first voyage. 

In addition to new programming, the Queen Mary’s most beloved annual celebrations will return throughout 2026 with special 90th anniversary touches woven in. Signature events such as the ship’s Fourth of July festivities and iconic New Year’s Eve celebration will feature commemorative elements honoring the Queen Mary’s milestone year, blending time-honored traditions with anniversary-inspired moments designed exclusively for 2026.

Food and beverage will also be an integral part of the Queen Mary’s anniversary journey. Signature experiences such as the ship’s renowned Royal Sunday Brunch will be available for $90 per person for reservations made in advance, and traditional Afternoon Tea will continue to anchor the onboard offering, alongside new and limited-time culinary experiences debuting throughout the year. Guests can look forward to period-inspired menus, anniversary-themed cocktails, and special dining moments that reflect the Queen Mary’s rich history and timeless elegance.

“Reaching 90 years since the Queen Mary’s first voyage is an extraordinary milestone, and one that deserves to be celebrated with intention and imagination,” added Caloca. “We’re excited to invite guests to continue to connect with the ship in meaningful ways as she continues to evolve while remaining true to what makes her so special.”