Pico Rivera Loses Beloved Community Venues as Whittier Narrows Dam Needs Repairs: Consequences and Mitigation Efforts

On Tuesday, city officials announced that the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and other community venues may disappear due to repairs on the Whittier Narrows Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers stated that the dam needs repairs to prevent critical flooding, which would affect the sports stadium, golf course, and Streamland Park in Pico Rivera.

The closure of these facilities is expected to have a significant impact on the city’s economy, resulting in income and job losses. The Pico Rivera Sports Arena has been a popular destination since it opened in 1979, hosting concerts, rodeos, and cultural events for the Hispanic community in Los Angeles County.

Pico Boys Baseball League has also been running for 68 years at Streamland Park. The closure of this facility would mean an end to the league’s operations. Pico Rivera Mayor Andrew Lara expressed concern over the potential loss of these valuable assets but highlighted the city’s resilience and strength.

To address potential losses, the city introduced a $125 million revitalization program that includes developing new parks, open spaces and sports facilities. Lara emphasized that the city is working hard to secure funding to mitigate the impact of closures and capitalize on new opportunities for growth and development.