Pacifico Energy Group’s CEO Helps Bring Affordable Swimming to Bakersfield
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pacifico Energy Group and its 661 Foundation announced the official opening of the East Side Aquatic Center, home to the B-Town Brazadas Swim Club in Bakersfield, California. The project was made possible by Highland High School alumnus and Pacifico Energy Group CEO, Nate Franklin, who donated $13 million to the design and construction of the center.
Last week, this state-of-the-art facility located on the campus of Highland High School—just 500 feet from the middle school and elementary school—opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In collaboration with the Kern High School District, the facility and club will provide training grounds for local swimmers.
Franklin’s donation is an investment in youth athletics in the region. The Kern High School District now owns and operates the facility, where community partners like Brazadas Swim Club will foster a diverse, thriving team that builds pride, camaraderie, and a commitment to lifelong improvement and excellence. For a town that has produced two Olympic swimmers in the past two decades—Gabe Woodward and Larsen Jensen—the donation ensures that future generations can train at home in facilities that match their ambition.
“At Pacifico, we talk about making an impact where it matters most. For me personally, that’s right here at Highland High School, where I learned the values that shaped my career,” said Nate Franklin, CEO at Pacifico Energy Group, who came up with the initial idea for this project. “When I was a student here, I promised myself I would one day give back to this wonderful community. We would love to see youth in this area that normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to participate in the sport of aquatics.”
Facility Features
- Olympic-Sized Pool
- 8 x 50-meter lanes (long course)
- 19 x 25-yard lanes (short course)
- Heated pool maintained at 79-82 degrees
- Modern Amenities
- Locker rooms, bathrooms, and indoor showers
- Single-use and outdoor shower options
- On-site office and classroom for team meetings and instruction
- Athlete & Spectator Enhancements
- Fully integrated scoreboard and electronic timing system
- Shaded stadium spectator seating with large fans
- Shallow end ideal for swim lessons and beginner programs
- Ample space for poolside dry land training
“Swimming taught me that you can control your own destiny through hard work and dedication, and these lessons have shaped me as an entrepreneur. This aquatic center gives kids the opportunity to overcome challenges, build confidence and resilience, and develop lifelong habits and values that last far beyond trophies or records. With 4,000 students from three nearby schools, we envision the 19 lanes being filled from morning to evening with practices, PE classes, and learn-to-swim programs. It’s going to take community effort, but that’s exactly what we want to see happen,” Nate Franklin said at the ribbon-cutting event on October 23.
With a focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and excellence, Franklin launched the Brazadas Swim Club, which gives swimming in the community the attention and resources it deserves, providing a hub for four major programs:
- Swim Team: For swimmers who want to take their skills to the next level, offering professional coaching, stroke development, and the opportunity to compete in local, regional, and national meets. Focus on technique, endurance, and teamwork. Sign up here: www.brazadas.org/swim-team
- Swim League: A fun and relaxed program for seasonal swimming. Perfect for kids who want to enjoy the water, improve their skills, and participate in friendly competition. Emphasis on fun and participation. Sign up here: www.brazadas.org/swim-league
- Swim School: From beginner to advanced, certified instructors provide quality lessons for ages 6 months to 18 years with a focus on water safety, stroke technique, and building confidence in the water. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention. Sign up here: www.brazadas.org/swim-school
- Masters: The adult program gives swimmers—new and seasoned—the chance to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and refine their technique in a supportive team environment. Sign up here: www.brazadas.org/masters
About Pacifico Energy Group
Pacifico Energy Group is a global investment manager focused on essential infrastructure and real assets. Founded by an energy entrepreneur in Orange County, the firm brings private-equity discipline to originating, financing, and operating high-value projects for industrial, government, and digital-infrastructure clients across North America and Asia. Pacifico Energy Group grew out of utility-scale power platforms in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, and expanded in the U.S. to include domestic energy, aviation, real estate, and selective private-equity investments. The group’s end-to-end capabilities span development, engineering, capital formation, and long-term operations for both private and utility-scale assets, leveraging technology-agnostic models tailored to customer needs. Pacifico Energy Group is committed to community impact through its 661 Foundation, directing a portion of profits to education, community development, and sustainability initiatives in regions where it invests, with recent projects including public plazas, aquatics centers, and youth programs. (https://pacificogroup.com)
About 661 Foundation
Pacifico Energy Group’s philanthropic arm supports community facilities and youth programs in the regions where the group operates. The 661 Foundation is dedicated to enhancing public safety, creating recreational facilities, and improving community engagement with a strong emphasis on supporting underserved and underprivileged youth. Recent initiatives include a new public plaza at San Juan Capistrano City Hall, the East Side Aquatic Center at Highland High School in Bakersfield, San Juan Capistrano Little League Scoreboard and the B‑Town Brazadas Swim Club. (https://661foundation.org)
About B-Town Brazadas Swim Club
B-Town Brazadas Swim Club is a Bakersfield-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building community and character through swimming. Founded in 2025 and headquartered at the East Side Aquatic Center, the club provides accessible, high-quality aquatics programs for all ages — from infant swim lessons to competitive and Masters teams. Guided by its mission to nurture personal growth and community connection, B-Town Brazadas strives to strengthen Bakersfield’s swim culture through inclusivity, expert coaching, and a commitment to lifelong excellence. (https://brazadas.org)
Contacts
Media Contact:
media@pacificoenergy.com
