In Rose Garcia’s earliest memories of her dad, she trails behind him as he knocks on doors collecting signatures in an effort to petition the city to build a pool on what used to be an empty, unused track for Lanier High School.

Atanacio Garcia began these efforts in the late 1960s, and didn’t see his dream for a recreation space for the Westside’s youth realized until June of 1981, when the San Antonio Natatorium first opened its doors. He died in 2014.

And now, the City of San Antonio has renamed its only public natatorium on 1430 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. as the Atanacio Garcia Natatorium.

“People are going to connect history to his name now,” said Rose, 64, thinking when she first learned of the name change that “his legacy can continue.”

But the path to get there was not without much effort on her father’s part.

Fighting for a pool on the West Side

When Lanier High School stopped using its old track field, Atanacio saw an opportunity for the city to invest more in recreational services for the surrounding neighborhood.

His goal, Rose said, was community growth.

He started gathering signatures, attending City Council meetings and San Antonio Independent School District’s board meetings, making calls and meeting with elected officials. At one point, he even convinced former congressman Henry B. Gonzalez to write a letter to then-mayor John Gatti to consider Atanacio’s plea.

Her father, a full-time postal worker and military veteran, hit walls at first. Minutes from a 1976 City Council meeting detail Atanacio reading the letter and telling officials he’s been trying to get a pool built around Lanier High School since 1968.

Still, he didn’t complain that elected officials didn’t listen to him, Rose said.

“He just continued — one door would close and another one would open.”

Atanacio’s efforts didn’t get real traction until his parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, joined the faith-based grassroots organization COPS/Metro in 1974. The organization, which formed to advocate for San Antonio’s underserved communities, had more sway with elected leaders. They took up Atanacio’s vision as their own.

Beatrice Cortez, the fourth president of COPS/Metro in the 1980s, worked alongside Atanacio on other community projects including paving sidewalks and implementing drainage systems to deter neighborhoods from flooding.

Cortez remembers their introduction at the first COPS/Metro meeting she attended with her husband.

“He got up and said, ‘I’m Atanacio Garcia from Our Lady of Guadalupe, and we have a dream of getting a pool for our children,” Cortez recollected.

He was quiet, Cortez added, but he was not one to back down. If he were here today, Cortez said Atanacio would still be advocating for his community.

Eventually, Atanacio was able to sway new city council members and Mayor Henry Cisneros to his side, and the city worked out a deal with SAISD to buy the track and build an indoor pool with the help of a federal grant for community development.

Atanacio’s daughter said his community efforts were first and foremost connected to their faith.

Rose continues the family tradition of community service today, describing herself as a “second-generation” COPS/Metro leader. She still attends the same church.

“[Atanacio] was inspiring in many ways for serving our country, serving our community and of course, serving God,” she said.

Olympic-sized pool a San Antonio flagship

Since the natatorium opened in 1981, the $3.2 million facility has attracted thousands of visitors every year. The Olympic-sized indoor pool has hosted many high school, international and local competitions. In 2000, the Australian Olympic swimming team trained at the natatorium.

According to the city, the natatorium has also produced an Olympic trial qualifier, many swimming and diving UIL state qualifiers and regional champions.

Last year, the natatorium temporarily closed to undergo renovations including a new roof and lockers. Unlike the city’s outdoor public pools, the natatorium, located in District 5, is open year-round.

In February, the Parks and Recreation Department and the District 5 office hosted a community meeting where Atanacio’s family and friends gathered in support of the renaming. Original copies of his petitions and letters to local leaders were displayed for public viewing.

Later in March, the city council unanimously approved the renaming of the natatorium in remembrance of Atanacio, an effort largely spearheaded by former councilwoman and SAISD board president Patti Radle and current Councilwoman Teri Castillo (D5).

“Atanacio Garcia was a tireless advocate for his community,” Castillo said at the time. “San Antonio is forever indebted to his community organizing, and now everyone who visits the Natatorium will forever know his name.”