On October 23, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony event for the renovation and restoration of the Victory Park Pool was organized by Friends of Victory Park Pool, an organization of local Stocktonians who came together in advocacy for the pool.

Stockton's infamous Victory Park was first built in June of 1916, and 32 years later, in 1948, the Victory Park Pool was completed as a new addition to the park. For the next 65 years to come, families from near and far visited the Victory Park Pool, where friendships were made, and life-lasting memories were created. That was until 2013, when, after the city declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy on June 28, 2012, due to facing $2 billion in long-term debt, the Victory Park Pool was closed in an effort to save money and reduce the impact of revenue shortfalls.

In 2015, the city officially exited bankruptcy and began working toward a more sustainable future. Nine years later, in November 2024, the city of Stockton officially began construction on the renovation of the Victory Park Pool. This accomplishment was largely due to the efforts of the leaders of Friends of Victory Park Pool, an organization led by local advocate Katya Ivanhoe.

According to the City of Stockton, in May 2022, the Stockton City Council approved a contract with Studio W Architects, based in Sacramento, to design the aquatic facilities renovation and replacement of the Victory Park Pool.

On June 4, 2024, the Stockton City Council approved a $607,706 contract with Roebbelen Construction Management Services to oversee the aquatic facilities renovations of the Victory Park Pool.

On September 17, 2024, the Stockton City Council awarded a $7,355,000 construction contract to CWS Construction Group, Inc. for the renovations, where the first stages of construction just began in November 2024. The 75-foot-long, 33-foot-wide pool is expected to be completed by summer 2025.

The total cost of the Victory Park Pool renovation project is approximately $10.2 million. Here is a breakdown of where each funding source originates:

• Strong Communities - Measure M: $6 million
•  SB129 Budget Act 2021: $2.7 million
•  State Discretionary Funds: $500,000
•  City Additional Budget Allocation: $1.1 million

Clarification: Funding source copied directly from city website

Information sourced directly from the City of Stockton website, which is listed in the link below: