Pico Rivera officials have announced that the city’s iconic community venues, including the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and Streamland Park, may face closure due to repair work on the Whittier Narrows Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers has identified critical flooding as a potential risk, which could have significant economic impacts on the city and its surrounding areas.
The sports arena, opened in 1979, has been a popular venue for concerts, rodeos, and cultural events for Los Angeles County’s Hispanic community. The closure of these venues would mean the loss of income and jobs for many residents in the area. In addition to the sports complex, the closure of Streamland Park would also end the 68-year-old Pico Boys Baseball League.
Pico Rivera Mayor Andrew Lara expressed his concern about losing these valuable community assets. However, to mitigate these potential losses, the city has launched a $125 million revitalization program. This program aims to create new parks, open spaces, and sports facilities that will help resilience and growth opportunities for residents in Pico Rivera.