Rio Bravo Greeley Cuts the Ribbon on Renovated Aquatic Center

From swim meets, to boat races, to community poolside events, students in the Rio Bravo-Greeley Union School District now have a rejuvenated place of their own to beat the heat and hop in the pool. School and district leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday to celebrate the newly renovated Ed Edgmon Aquatic Center.

“To the students, this is your pool. We hope that it’s going to be your happy place,” said Louis Varga with Colombo Construction, who helped with the remodel.

First built in the 50s, the swimming pool and aquatic center at RBG has long been a place of learning, growth, competition, and connection. Since 1973, the pool has been home to the RBG swim team, one of the largest swim programs in Kern County. In addition to school programs, the pool has been used for lessons, to host community events, and for summer open swim hours.

“This moment is very special to me, because my own dad learned how to swim in this pool,” said Superintendent Jennifer Hedge. “Generations of students, families, and staff have created memories here.”

After decades of serving the community, the aquatic center was due for an upgrade. The new center boasts revamped facilities, including a state-of-the-art plumbing system, new plaster, tile, and equipment, a new heater to support winter swim and water polo programs, and new boys’ and girls’ locker rooms and changing areas.

RBG student council representatives Bently Garrett and Ava Rodriguez also spoke about the new aquatic center during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. As students who have been at RBG since transitional kindergarten (TK), the girls counted themselves lucky to be regular users of the swimming pool for lessons, competitions, PE classes, parties, and something they’re looking forward to this year: eighth-grade boat races.

“Eighth graders build boats out of plastic bottles and jugs using duct tape. We bind them together and make interesting and creative designs, hoping our boat will float across the pool. The winner receives a prize, and, more importantly, bragging rights,” Rodriguez said.

The aquatic center is named after Retired Athletic Director Ed Edgmon, who started the RBG swim team in 1973. When it first began, the program had about 25 swimmers. At its peak, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 250. During the ceremony, Edgmon took guests on a trip down memory lane, talking about his history with the school district and the legacy he left that will benefit many students to come.

“So many people either swam here or your children did, and we had lots of good years,” Edgmon said. “In closing, I’ll just say how honored and humbled I am that this building has my name on it.”