Pico Rivera: Preserving Community Venues Amidst Dangerous Dam Repairs

The Whittier Narrows Dam in Pico Rivera requires repairs to prevent critical flooding, but this work may put at risk the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and other community venues, including the only golf course in Pico Rivera and Streamland Park. These iconic venues are significant to the city’s economy and will have a significant impact on income and jobs if they close.

The closure of these venues will be felt throughout Pico Rivera, with losses of income and jobs expected. The Pico Rivera Sports Arena, which opened in 1979, has been a central location for concerts, rodeos, and cultural events for the Hispanic community of Los Angeles County. The closure of Streamland Park would also mean the end of the youth baseball program that has been operating for 68 years, known as the Pico Boys Baseball League.

Despite these potential losses due to dam repair works, Pico Rivera Mayor Andrew Lara expressed the city’s resilience and strength. In response to these challenges, the city has launched a $125 million revitalization program aimed at creating new parks, open spaces, and sports facilities. Through this program and ongoing efforts to secure funding, Pico Rivera hopes to mitigate these losses and take advantage of new opportunities for growth and development.