Secret Los Angeles highlights the community impact of the San Gabriel Valley’s first Los Angeles County-operated aquatic center.

Secret Los Angeles recently featured the Hilda L. Solis Aquatic Center, an HMC Architects-designed community destination expanding access to recreation, swimming, and water safety education in Los Angeles County.

Opened in June 2025 in West Puente Valley, the center is the first Los Angeles County-operated aquatic center in the San Gabriel Valley. The facility provides free recreational swimming, swim lessons, lap swimming, aquatic fitness programs, youth programs, and water safety instruction.

Designed to serve swimmers of different ages and abilities, the center includes an Olympic-size competition pool, a dedicated instructional and practice pool, classrooms, community gathering spaces, and outdoor recreation areas.

The Secret Los Angeles feature highlights how the facility has quickly become a valuable resource for local families, particularly during Southern California’s summer heat. Beyond providing a place to cool off, the center reflects Los Angeles County’s broader investment in equitable access to recreation, wellness, and community resources.

For HMC, the project demonstrates the power of public architecture to create welcoming spaces that support healthier, more connected communities.

Read the full story in Secret Los Angeles.