| Stadium Name: | McMurtrey Aquatic Center |
| Nickname: | City of Bakersfield |
| Broke Ground: | 2003 |
| Opened: | August 20, 2003 |
| Tenants: | All of Kern County |
| Seating Capacity: | NIL |
| Dimensions: | Olympic-sized pool (9 25-yard lanes, 9 50-meter lanes), Recreation pool (8,551 sq ft) |
The McMurtrey Aquatic Center is a swimming, diving, and recreational facility in the city of Bakersfield, California. It is located near the Mechanics Bank Arena in downtown Bakersfield. The Aquatic Center opened in June 2004.[1] Combined with the Valley Children's Ice Center of Bakersfield, it has a large recreation pool and a heated competition pool, with lifeguards on duty during business hours. The facility hosts activities such as aquatic fitness, diving, lap swim, recreation swim, scuba, water polo, and much more. The facility hosts various local high school swim meets and is used by Bakersfield, California community members for recreational swimming.[2]
The 8551square feet recreation pool features zero depth entry, child play features, double water slides, a plunge pool, diving boards, a water volleyball area and specially designed interactive wet play equipment. The recreation area includes picnic areas for public use and party rentals.[3]
The Aquatic Center's heated Olympic-sized pool features nine 25-yard lanes, nine 50-meter lanes, and a pair of one- and three-meter diving boards. The pool's shallow end is 3 feet, 6 inches deep, and the pool's deep end is 14 feet, 2 inches deep.
The McMurtrey Aquatic Center was named after the McMurtrey family, long-time residents of Bakersfield, who donated the sum of $250,000 on March 13, 2003. Don McMurtrey, the family spokesperson, son of prominent residents Mac and Stella McMurtrey, and retired "joint"-CEO (with brother Jon McMurtrey) of Southern Auto Supply, stated that "..they want the complex to be a state-of-the-art facility for the community."[4] The family also has a special interest in providing funds for the equipment that will be needed for school swim competitions and other related activities.
On Sunday, October 24, 2004, The McMurtrey Aquatic Center made news when four local Olympians, who had trained at the aquatics center, were honored there with a celebration for achieving the "pinnacle of success" in their respective competitions during the 2004 Summer Olympics. The ceremony was hosted by Council member Sue Benham and KGET-Channel 17's Robin Mangarin, and Jim Scott. Gabe Woodward, a Stockdale High School graduate, won a bronze medal in the Men's’ 4 x 100 meter relay; Rebecca Giddens, a part-time Kernville resident, won a silver medal in the Women's’ K1 kayak slalom; Larsen Jensen, Garces Memorial High School alumnus, won a silver medal in the 1,500 meter freestyle competitive swim; and Joey Hansen, a Bakersfield High School graduate, won a gold medal in the Men's’ Eight Rowing event.[5]
On April 5, 2006, Stuart and Misty Rex were presented with the official certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records at the Aquatics Center for setting the world record for largest underwater wedding, with 208 attendees.[6]