More BCYF pools expected to re-open by summer

The long-awaited and delayed $12.7 million renovation of the Mattahunt Community Center is about to come to an end, according to city officials, who say students at the Mattahunt School are now able to use the facility after many years of closure. The public will be able to access the center by April 1, according to officials who briefed members of the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council (GMNC) on Monday.

The re-opening will allow public access to a long-shuttered pool at the Mattahunt. Several other pool openings are expected in Dorchester this summer – a stark contrast to last summer when most every pool in Dorchester and Mattapan was closed.

District 5 City Councillor Enrique Pepen said the project, which stalled out several times due to contractor issues, has concluded and final signoffs are underway. Sources in the Mayor’s Office also confirmed the timing.

Pepen told GMNC members that students from the school were allowed into the gym for the first time on Monday, and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) would begin programming at the center for the public on April 1.

“Finally, the Mattahunt Community Center will be able to open up,” he said.

Pepen also noted that Raymond Heath will be the manager of the Mattahunt site, coming over from the Marshall Community Center in Dorchester with 12 years of BCYF experience. The Mayor’s Office said the Mattahunt Pool will open this summer.

The long-closed Marshall Community Center pool in the UP Academy Dorchester building has also re-opened. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Feb. 28. Officials said last week they expect to have more pools open this year than in previous summers. The list includes the Mattahunt, the Marshall, and the long-shuttered Perkins Community Center pool attached to the Joseph Lee K-8 School in Dorchester.

Mayor Wu and her administration also announced last week the expansion of the Swim Safe Boston program, which offers grants to non-profits to administer free swimming lessons in their pools. Those partners include the YMCA of Greater Boston, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, and Dot House on Dorchester Avenue.

“DotHouse Health is extremely proud to partner with the City of Boston to help provide free swimming lessons to all youth and families in our communities,” said Michelle Nadow, President & CEO of DotHouse Health. “We are very appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate and to continue to expand accessible swimming resources in our neighborhoods.”