Olympian Greg Louganis, who took the last plunge off of Marguerite Aquatic Center’s historic but aging dive tower in 2016, will return to the home of the world-renowned Nadadores swimming and diving club.
This time to celebrate the opening of the renovated tower and other facilities.
Louganis – as well as fellow Olympic gold medalists Rowdy Gaines and Brian Goodell, who is a Mission Viejo city councilman – are expected to attend the city’s grand re-opening of the Marguerite Aquatics Center on Saturday, April 7.
Opening ceremonies start 10 a.m. followed by photos and autograph signing by the Olympians from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Olympian Rick Earley will be at the ceremony with his son, Brian Earley, and granddaughter, Brooke Earley; the pair will make the first dive from the new tower.
Guests can enjoy recreation swimming, games and the chance to walk on water in bubble balls beginning at 12:30 p.m. A dive show and diving technique demonstration takes place 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. followed by open dive time from 1 to 2 p.m.
Activities at the new 50-meter pool include the swim test (required for all water activities) and recreational swimming from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Swimmers can also test their agility in the obstacle course competition between noon and 2 p.m.
Families can enjoy crafts and games like Olympic torch making and an Olympic ring toss. There will be food trucks on site.
The $11 million renovation project began October 2016. Platforms on the new 45-foot dive tower are now wide enough for synchronized diving, the first in Orange County.
The Marguerite Aquatics Center opened in 1972 and is mainly used by the Nadadores, though the city is planning on implementing some programming open to the public.
Photo Credit: Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register