The Beast's Aquatic Center Reopens at Acalanes

After a yearlong renovation, the Acalanes Steve Heaston Aquatic Center reopened this week just in time for the start of the swim season. 

The 2.4 million dollar pool reconstruction was subsidized by Measure E, a 2008 bond earmarked for Acalanes Union High School District facilities improvements.

The pool’s namesake, Steve Heaston - known as “the Beast” for his drive and competitive spirit - was a successful PE instructor and Head Water Polo Coach at Acalanes from 1971-1982, where he won 6 North Coast Championships and developed 38 All Americans while bringing Acalanes to the forefront of high school water polo in California. Heaston was deeply revered and admired, succumbing to brain cancer in 1999.

Acalanes Boosters Swim Team Representative Ken Chan said: “The Heaston Aquatic Center draws thousands of visitors and athletes to the community every year, year round. The new center is the foundation for the next era of aquatic excellence in Lafayette for generations to come.” 

Both city and county swim meets will return to the center this summer where thousands of swimmers from all over Contra Costa County will compete in the 40 meter, state-of-the-art facility.

Although the pool is ready for swimmers, the Acalanes Boosters Club continues its drive to raise an additional $150,000 for items not covered such as the color LED scoreboard, audio equipment, storage solutions, and bleachers. Community members wishing to create a lasting tribute to Steve Heaston’s love of aquatics and Acalanes are welcome to go to the website and make a donation.

A Donor Wall has been established across from the entrance to the pool  and a Grand Re-Dedication is slated for this spring with an invitational age group water polo tournament hosted by the Acalanes High School District.

If you wish to find out more about this new facility or make a donation, please go here.