For a town of our size, what is the appropriate size pool?
To determine the facility’s size, we will collaborate with the Park and Recreation staff and research swimming facilities in other communities. Based on our findings, we will develop the best option while considering the site’s size, shape, budget, and other factors. Having said that, we envision a pool complex similar to those in other communities. They typically include separate areas for lap swimming and recreation, with a sloped entry area that provides easy access for small children and those with mobility challenges. We also expect to include a snack bar, filter/maintenance building, office, and accessible changing rooms. If the space were to be large enough, we would hope for picnic tables as well. And if the pool were to abut parkland, visitors could go to the park to relax following time in the pool.
How much space do we need for a pool facility?
In other communities that recently constructed outdoor pool facilities, the space needed for the
pool complex is less than an acre.
Do you have a location in mind?
The most likely place is up on Fisher Hill – a portion of the old Newbury College site that the Town acquired and adjacent to the existing park and parking lot. The site is over three acres and a pool requires less than one acre. Other potential uses for the site would be synergistic with the pool. We are actively engaged with the Fisher Hill West Advisory Committee. However, if the Fisher Hill site doesn’t work out, there are several other sites that could work.
What months do you expect the pool to be open?
We now experience summer temperatures from Memorial Day through September, so ideally the pool would be open for those 4 months. If we add a bubble, the pool could be open longer or even year round. Staffing would be a consideration for the operational season. Global warming may well, over time, extend the season further. Fisher Hill isn’t terribly accessible.
How do you expect people to get there?
Fisher Hill is actually almost in the center of Brookline so equally accessible to residents in North and South Brookline. There’s a bus on Route 9, the C and D lines run fairly close, and of course people can bike, walk or drive. Also, the Teen Center, Rec Department, and Senior Center all own vans that could be used.
How much parking would it require and is such space available?
The Fisher Hill West Advisory Committee is just beginning its work so no plan yet exists. There is plenty of street parking in the area that will supplement whatever parking is built. Lastly, while not terribly close, we expect that some people will arrive by T (the C line or Route 9 bus) or ride their bikes, or walk.
Is there an approximate capital cost for such a project (the cost to build)?
We estimate that the pool complex will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million based on what other towns’ pool complexes cost:
- Newton’s new complex opened in 2024 for $9.3M
- Belmont pool complex completed 2015: $5.3M ($6.9M inflation adjusted)
- Waltham pool completed in 2012: $6M ($8.2M inflation adjusted)
How does $10 million for the outdoor pool compare to other park and recreation expenditures?
The Town recently spent $6.5M to renovate an athletic field, $9.5M to construct the Fisher Hill Park, $3M to renovate a playground, and $20M to renovate Larz Anderson. We think the cost is very reasonable considering the number of people that we expect to use it from all across Town.
Isn’t our pool at the high school enough?
The National Park and Recreation Association standard for the number of swimming pools needed by a community is one for every 20,000 people. Brookline, with a population of 65,000, has a single indoor pool. When it comes to outdoor pools, similarly situated communities of our population size have a median of two outdoor swimming facilities. This project will help us get closer to the median – and to the standard.
What are the annual operating costs?
The Park and Rec Department will be doing detailed studies to determine this as part of a formal Feasibility Study, but nearby communities actually make money operating their pool facilities from usage fees, swimming lessons, team and competition fees, party rentals, community events, and snack bar revenues. We believe that a financial structure similar to that of the Putterham golf course is appropriate – a revolving fund whereby revenue is deposited into the fund to cover operating costs, so that the Town need not fund operating costs.
Will there be discounts available for residents? And especially low income residents?
Yes, we expect that will be the case.
Will non-residents be able to use the pool?
That will depend on how busy the pool is with resident only usage. The high school pool charges a higher non-resident fee and that model may well be replicated.
How will building a pool affect already tax-burdened property holders?
Taxes increase when the Town borrows money for major capital projects and the debt must be paid back over many years. But such debt is for really large projects such as the Pierce School rebuild, projected to cost $212 million, and the renovation of our fire stations, expected to cost approximately $60 million. The pool isn’t in this category. It’s a much smaller project.
The Town sets aside a specified percentage of the budget annually for capital improvements (the CIP), including for parks and recreation-related capital expenses. In addition, outdoor swimming facilities qualify for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. Other towns, such as Newton, Belmont and Needham, have used some CPA funds to help finance construction of their pool complexes. Capital cost for Brookline’s outdoor community pool could be paid for over a 2 year period, using CIP and CPA funding, without increasing taxpayers’ bills.
Will seniors and those with mobility issues be able to access the pool?
It is our intent that both the lap pool and the recreation pool be accessible, as required by law. For the recreation pool, a sloping entry will further facilitate easy access. The changing rooms will also be fully accessible. We anticipate that programming such as water stretching and aerobics will be offered.
How will young people benefit?
In numerous ways. First, swim lessons at the one indoor pool are oversubscribed and those that can afford it pay for lessons at the Goldfish Swim Club. Providing lessons at this new facility will increase capacity. Second, the Town’s summer camps have no access to outdoor swimming – an increasing need as summers become hotter. Third, the pool will create summer jobs for teens – as lifeguards, at the snack bar, and at the entry of the facility. Fourth – and possibly most importantly, having an outdoor pool facility will provide a healthy gathering spot for young people to meet and socialize during summer months, as will people of all ages, fostering community within the Town.
Will little kids be able to use the pool?
Of course. We anticipate there will be a very shallow area for tots in a recreation pool, sloping to a somewhat deeper area for children’s lessons and play.
Will swim teams be able to practice and have meets here?
Yes. The Dolphins Swim Team currently doesn’t have a summer program but they could if this pool is built. The high school’s swim teams could also make use of the pool, as could Masters swimmers. Practices may have to be early in the day, but we expect there to be a separate lap pool that’s at least 25 yards long with 6 regulation lanes.
The high school pool sometimes has trouble finding life guards. Won’t this exacerbate that challenge?
We are confident that high school and college students will be eager to work at an outdoor pool and, with more opportunities to offer lifeguard training, the supply of qualified guards should improve.
Will the pool be heated?
We expect that the pool will be heated and we will push for solar or geo-thermal power. Chlorine is a nasty chemical. What purification do you envision will be used? The pool at the high school doesn’t use chlorine and likely this won’t either. We will rely on the experts at the Park and Rec Department to determine the best purification approach.
Why are you pushing this now given the financial challenges that the schools are experiencing?
Our Town’s budget is separated into operating expenses and capital costs. The shortfall in the school’s funding is in their operating budget, which covers programs, salaries, benefits etc. Constructing a pool is a capital cost and that would come from the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that funds infrastructure projects such as reconstructing fields, parks, tennis courts, the high school pool, and the skating rink, etc. These projects are scheduled out several years in advance and the estimated $10 million for the pool will likely be funded over two years. Monies in the CIP are not used for operating expenses and cannot be used to fund the school’s shortfall.
Where else might you get funds to build the pool?
We expect we will also seek Community Preservation Act funds that are allocated to Brookline from the State. These funds can only be spent on affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space – and the pool qualifies as open space.
When do you think we can expect to actually swim in the outdoor pool?
The Parks and Recreation Department told us that their first major project is making repairs to the high school indoor pool. When that’s complete they will begin the renovation of the outdoor skating rink at Larz Anderson Park. When those are complete the pool project will take priority. In the meantime site plans, feasibility plans, and design reviews will take place.