Irvine City Council Approves $90m Aquatics Complex in Orange County Great Park for the 2028 Olympics

The Orange County Great Park Board of Irvine City Council members has voted 3-2 in favour of fast-tracking a $90m aquatics complex in the Irvine park to provide training facilities for the US national water polo teams, as well as for community swimming use. The aquatics facility was originally part of the second phase of the Great Park framework plan, which would have delayed it by at least five years. Now, it will be moved to the priority list of the first phase. The decision has made it possible for the US men’s and women’s national water polo teams to have a training centre at the Great Park before the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Councilman Mike Carroll and Mayor Farrah Khan voted for the proposal, while Vice Mayor Tammy Kim and Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder opposed it, and Councilman Larry Agran, who was originally against it, ended up being the deciding vote. USA Water Polo CEO Chris Ramsey and dozens of local water polo and swimming representatives spoke in favour of the complex, citing the need for additional pools, as the Woollett Aquatics Centre is frequently overcrowded.

Irvine City Council Approves $90m Aquatics Complex in Orange County Great Park for the 2028 Olympics

The Orange County Great Park Board of Irvine City Council members has voted 3-2 in favour of fast-tracking a $90m aquatics complex in the Irvine park to provide training facilities for the US national water polo teams, as well as for community swimming use. The aquatics facility was originally part of the second phase of the Great Park framework plan, which would have delayed it by at least five years. Now, it will be moved to the priority list of the first phase. The decision has made it possible for the US men’s and women’s national water polo teams to have a training centre at the Great Park before the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Councilman Mike Carroll and Mayor Farrah Khan voted for the proposal, while Vice Mayor Tammy Kim and Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder opposed it, and Councilman Larry Agran, who was originally against it, ended up being the deciding vote. USA Water Polo CEO Chris Ramsey and dozens of local water polo and swimming representatives spoke in favour of the complex, citing the need for additional pools, as the Woollett Aquatics Centre is frequently overcrowded.

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