On Tuesday, Pico Rivera officials announced that the city’s community venues, including the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and Streamland Park, may be at risk of disappearing due to repair work on the Whittier Narrows Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers has determined that the dam needs repairs to prevent critical flooding, which would impact these iconic sports stadiums and parks.
The closure of these venues could have a significant economic impact on the city and surrounding areas, resulting in losses of income and jobs. The Pico Rivera Sports Arena, opened in 1979, has been a popular venue for concerts, rodeos, and cultural events for the Hispanic community of Los Angeles County. In addition to the sports complex, the closure of Streamland Park would mean the end of the youth baseball program that has been operating for 68 years, known as the Pico Boys Baseball League.
Pico Rivera Mayor Andrew Lara expressed concern over these potential losses and emphasized his commitment to resilience and strength in the face of these challenges. To offset these potential losses, the city has launched a $125 million revitalization program aimed at creating new parks, open spaces, and sports facilities to help mitigate the impact of any closures and take advantage of new opportunities for growth and development.
