Four City of Boston indoor pools reopening

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that four indoor swimming pools, BCYF Curtis Hall Pool in Jamaica Plain, BCYF Draper Pool in West Roxbury, BCYF Flaherty Pool in Roslindale and BCYF Mason Pool in Dorchester will open to the public on Wednesday, September 2. These pools join the City of Boston's two outdoor pools, the BCYF Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and the BCYF Mirabella Pool in the North End, in providing Boston residents with a place to enjoy aquatic activities and cool off during the summer. The indoor pools are open year round, while the outdoor pools will be open through Labor Day. 

"As we head towards the end of summer, I am pleased we are able to open up indoor swimming options for our residents," said Mayor Walsh. "BCYF has spent a lot of time making sure that safety protocols are in place so that we can open these additional recreational facilities within the current COVID-19 guidelines. I encourage residents to take advantage of these options and continue to take all the precautions: wearing face coverings when out, keeping your distance from others, and washing your hands." 

BCYF Draper Pool, Flaherty Pool and Mason Pool will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center pool will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As of now, pools will offer only lap swim to the public. Additional aquatics programming will be added as it's finalized. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, there are several new protocols in place at all BCYF pools: 

• Visitors must register for a swim time slot at Boston.gov/BCYF-registration as walk-ins will not be allowed. Registration will open tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1. Pool capacity has been reduced to one swimmer per lane for lap swim and roughly 10 percent capacity for youth programming.
• Registration will go live 24 hours before the following day's sessions and will remain open until all spots are taken or until the session begins, whichever comes first. 
• Lap swim sessions of 45 minutes each and sessions where youth can register for various aquatics programming will be offered. 
• When registering for a session, visitors will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. The screening questions will be asked again when checking to the pool for the registered session.
• Cleaning and disinfecting will occur at opening and closing and between each swim session.
• Visitors must come dressed to swim as locker rooms/changing areas will be closed. Restrooms (if access is required) can be accessed through a locker room, but visitors cannot use the lockers or changing area.
• Face coverings (covering the nose and mouth) must be worn at all times when not in the water.
• Swimming lessons, which would require close physical contact, will not be offered.
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet is required for all individuals outside of a household group and applies to deck areas, bathrooms, wading areas, the water, and the pool deck.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 
• Three children under 12 are allowed per adult. 

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston's largest youth and human service agency. BCYF operates 36 community centers in Boston that offer a variety of engaging and enriching programs for people of all ages created through community input and need. BCYF also oversees citywide programs including the nationally-recognized violence intervention and prevention SOAR Program (formerly Streetworker Program), the GIRLS Initiative, Camp Joy special needs program, and many aquatic offerings.