The noontime clouds parted, and the sun shone momentarily bright Saturday as with one quick pull of a tarp leaders unveiled the new signage on the south side of a building at Robinson Park Recreation Center in Pasadena: From here on out, The Honorable John J. Kennedy Center Pool will be there for generations.
The moment was the culmination of the late City Councilman John J. Kennedy’s vision, and the action to make it come true. A place for people from the very community he grew up in. A place where kids can learn to swim. That families can enjoy. Designed to be inclusive. Where people can find some common ground. A safe place.
“The real story is how we got here. The real story is how our friend brought us all here,” said Mayor Victor Gordo, referring to the leader many new as “JK. “The way we got got here is the contributions of JK, our friend and brother, over so many years.”
Those contributions were echoed loudly on Saturday as Kennedy’s family, local leaders, clergy, residents young and older gathered to watch the unveiling of the signage at the new, $6 million facility, and a plaque.
Before his sudden death in the summer of 2022, Kennedy, who had been on the council for nine years, had long championed the plan to make the new aquatic center in his hometown a reality. His own local efforts ballooned into support from local leaders, including $500,000 for the aquatic center project from Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office, for which Kennedy would not take no for an answer.
The project culminated in the new U-shaped pull, a new pool deck and a revamped pool building with accessible showers, restrooms, new lighting, and locker rooms. It will offer year-round aquatic programs, including swim lessons for all ages.
It was a moment once again to come full-circle for those closest to him.
“His whole life was dedicated to the community,” said Lena Kennedy, one of his sisters, just after the dozens who showed up gathered all around the around…
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