For Immediate Release

Happy First Birthday, Riverside Aquatics Complex!

The Riverside Aquatics Complex (RAC) celebrated its grand opening on January 21, 2011.  Thanks to a true community partnership of Measure C, Riverside Community College District, the city of Riverside, the county of Riverside, the RCCD Foundation, and private donors that contributed to the building of the RAC with the vision of launching Riverside as one of the top venues for high-level aquatic competitions.

In its first year, RAC has hosted many aquatic events, such as a national level diving competition, several synchronized swimming competitions and camps, two Southern California Swimming (SCS) regional swim meets, and RCC water polo and swimming competitions.  RAC has brought in over $1 million in tourism dollars to the city of Riverside.  The future for RAC is bright as many events have already been scheduled through 2014.

In the summer of 2012, RAC will host the SCS Junior Olympics for Age Group Swimming.  Riverside Aquatics Association Swim Team is the first Inland Empire team to be awarded the honor of hosting the Junior Olympics.  Approximately 800 to 1,000 athletes will compete in the five-day event from July 25-29.  RAA has already contracted for over 500 room nights in the downtown area to accommodate the traveling swim teams.  The economic impact of the Summer Junior Olympics is forecasted to exceed $238,000.  Support from area restaurants and businesses is crucial to the success of this and all aquatic sporting events at RAC.

Early in its infancy, RAC is proving to be an excellent investment into the future of athletic development for Riverside’s aquatics participants as well as the city of Riverside’s economic future. 

For more information contact:
Diana Meza
Community Relations Specialist
Riverside Community College District
951-222-8505