Lower Castaways Park Aquatics Feasibility Study

Newport Beach, CA

Aquatic facilities

Prominently positioned along Newport's picturesque Back Bay and visible from Pacific Coast Highway, the Newport Back Bay Aquatics Center offers a dynamic recreational hub with rich historical significance. Situated at Lower Castaways Park—the historic site of the 1870 "Old Landing," where the first commercial vessel steamed into the bay to establish a "new port"—this project blends modern amenities with Newport's coastal heritage.

The 9,100 SF, two-story aquatics center is designed to serve a variety of community needs. The first level features a welcoming reception area, staff offices, men's and women's locker rooms and restrooms, family restrooms, a pool mechanical room, and convenient outdoor lockers. On the second level, visitors will find versatile multi-purpose rooms, an outdoor patio overlooking the stunning Back Bay, a kitchen, and additional restrooms for added convenience.

The project site expands beyond the main building to include a variety of recreational and functional elements. These features include a separate, one-story lifeguard and concessions building, a competition-ready 25-yard by 50-meter pool, a therapeutic pool for rehabilitation and wellness programs, and a thematic splash pad for family-friendly play. Additionally, the site offers covered spectator seating and dedicated pool equipment storage, group and individual shade cabanas for relaxation, and hand launch and public beach access to support water recreation. Covered outrigger and kayak dry storage racks are provided alongside a scenic stairway and trail connection to Upper Castaways Park. Coastal protection is enhanced with a reconstructed sea wall, while the site's rich history is preserved with a relocated historic 'Old Landing' plaque and monument entry sign. The site also includes a convenient parking lot with 189 stalls, a deceleration lane, and reconfigured sidewalks along Dover Drive for improved accessibility.

Blending functionality, recreation, and heritage, the Newport Back Bay Aquatics Center is a premier waterfront destination designed to enrich the local community for generations to come.

Key Elements

  • 4 acres
  • 9,100 SF 2-story aquatics center building
  • Separate 1-story lifeguard and concessions building
  • 25 yard x 50 meter pool
  • Therapy pool
  • Thematic splash pad
  • Covered spectator seating and pool equipment storage
  • Group and individual shade cabanas
  • Public beach access
  • Covered outrigger/kayak dry storage racks
  • Stairway/trail connection to Upper Castaways Park
  • Reconstructed sea wall
  • Monument entry sign
  • Parking lot with 189 stalls
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