COVINA, CA – Students, staff, families, community members, and dignitaries gathered at Covina High School on Feb. 26 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the school’s new Aquatics Center – a project multiple years in the making.
The project will replace the current 1950s-era pool and upgrade the aquatics facilities, ensuring students have access to modern amenities for physical education classes, water polo and swim team practices and competitions, and more.

“Covina High is a wonderful school, filled with endless opportunities and resources for me and my classmates to excel in our endeavors and realize our unlimited potential,” Covina High School Student Board Member Gianna Herrera said. “This project is just another example of the resources and facilities provided by our school and District to help us achieve our goals.”

Construction of the new Aquatics Center is funded primarily through Measure CC General Obligation Bond funds, with an additional $4 million in federal funds secured through the advocacy of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. The Covina High School Aquatics Center project is estimated to be completed in spring 2025.

The groundbreaking ceremony included a welcome performance from the Covina High jazz band and a National Anthem rendition sung by Covina High student Brooklyn Durfee. American Sign Language students Michelle Coral, Paulina Bocanegra, and Ramida Phuangchoey were also present to sign the program for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community.

The ceremony also included speeches and remarks delivered by Board of Education President Maria Cruz, Vice President Sue Maulucci, Clerk Maria Caceres, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer, Herrera, and Congresswoman Napolitano. The Covina High swim team was also present to show their support for their future pool and aquatics facilities.

“We’re thrilled to kick off construction on this fantastic project, which will undoubtedly enhance the charm of Covina High School’s campus,” Dr. Eminhizer said. “A heartfelt thank you goes out to our devoted staff, faculty, community partners, and the incredible Board of Education for transforming this dream into a reality for our students and the school community. We also express our sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Grace Napolitano for her unwavering support, which has been instrumental in making this project possible. The Aquatics Center will serve the students and the entire community for many years to come.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CVUSD_GROUNDBREAKING1: Covina High School sophomore Levi Lopez (left) and freshman London Lopez attended the Covina High Aquatics Center Groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 26 as representatives of the school’s swim team.

CVUSD_GROUNDBREAKING2: (From left to right) Covina High School Principal Dr. Daisy Carrasco, Covina-Valley Unified Board of Education Member Rachael Robles, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer, Board President Maria Cruz, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Board Member Simon Wright, Board Clerk Maria Caceres, Northview High School Student Board Member Darla Jacobo, Covina High School Student Board Member Gianna Herrera, and Board Vice President Sue Maulucci celebrate during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Covina High School Aquatics Center on Feb. 26. The project’s construction is funded through the advocacy of Congresswoman Napolitano, who secured more than $4 million in federal funding for the project.

CVUSD_GROUNDBREAKING3: (From left to right) Covina High School Principal Dr. Daisy Carrasco, Covina-Valley Unified Board of Education Vice President Sue Maulucci, Board Member Rachael Robles, Board Member Simon Wright, Board Clerk Maria Caceres, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Covina High Student Board Member Gianna Herrera, Northview High Student Board Member Darla Jacobo, Board President Maria Cruz, and Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer celebrate at the Covina High School Aquatics Center Groundbreaking Ceremony on Feb. 26. The project is estimated to be completed in spring 2025.