Boston City Council Hearing on BCYF Pools Conditions and Access - June 29, 2026
Boston City Council Committee on Human Services Hearing on BCYF Pools - June 29, 2026
The Boston City Council Committee on Human Services, chaired by Councilor Aaron Murphy, held a virtual hearing on June 29, 2026, at 10:32 AM to discuss Docket 0694 regarding the conditions, operations, and access of Boston Centers for Youth and Family (BCYF) pools. The hearing included statements from councilors, a presentation from administration officials, public testimony, and a community panel. Key issues included the prolonged closure of the Blackstone pool, changes to the Flarity Dolphins competitive swim team, reopening of the Hennigan pool, and overall pool maintenance and communication.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Natasha Winniger (Roslindale resident, Flarity Dolphins parent): Expressed disappointment over unfulfilled BCYF commitments from January, including lack of the promised citywide parent working group for competitive swim. Noted that only a short-term working group for the Dolphins was formed and that broader community engagement has not occurred. Urged the city to honor proposals and build infrastructure for youth swimming.
- Ken (Hyde Square Task Force): Reported success in getting the Hennigan pool reopened after 1.5 years of advocacy. Suggested a review to expedite future reopenings. Emphasized the joy and social value of pools.
- Danny (Hennigan youth advocate): Stressed the importance of the Hennigan pool for learning to swim, especially for youth and elderly. Noted that the pool closure contributed to kids not learning to swim. Advocated for year-round access and a swim team.
- Allie Casher (Flarity Dolphins parent): Cited internal emails suggesting BCYF officials transferred Coach Barnes due to perceived over-involvement with the Dolphins. Argued that the Dolphins were treated as an external non-BCYF team despite decades of being a BCYF team. Stated that children were not central to the decision-making.
- Rachel Green (Boston resident, Mattahunt pool user): Described arbitrary rule changes and confusing communication at the Mattahunt pool, such as sudden early-morning whistles and locker room restrictions. Called for more respectful and clear procedures.
- Dana Willkey (JP resident, Flarity Dolphins parent): Described the Flarity Dolphins as an affordable competitive option for city youth. Warned that losing the team would harm Boston swimming. Urged BCYF to view the team as a strength and make a long-term commitment to the 90 swimmers.
- Margot (water aerobics participant): Highlighted the popularity of Mason pool water aerobics for seniors and people with disabilities. Expressed concern about potential closure and asked for clarity.
- Oscar (Flarity Dolphins swimmer, eighth grader): Shared how competitive swimming with the Dolphins built his confidence and provided a pathway to high school and college swimming. Noted that BCYF developmental times are not official for college applications, unlike Metro League. Called for equal recognition for swimming as other sports, including a Mayor's Cup.
- Elizabeth Costello (Flarity Dolphins parent, board president): Stated that families were unaware the team was classified as a non-BCYF team until recently. Requested the city honor commitments, form a citywide working group, and provide long-term planning stability. Noted that swimming lacks permit systems and standardized fees like other youth sports. Proposed four specific asks: honor commitments, deliver community engagement, make long-term commitments, and build infrastructure.
- Louisa Harris (JP/Mission Hill resident, Friends of Hennigan): Criticized lack of vision and competence in leadership that delayed the Hennigan pool reopening. Called for community input on programming, a separate community entrance, and equitable year-round hours.
Discussion Items
- Opening Statements: Councilors Flynn, Pepin, Durkin, Mejia, and Murphy expressed concerns about pool access, equity, and communication. Councilor Flynn highlighted the Blackstone pool closure as a racial justice issue and called for an independent engineering study. Councilor Mejia emphasized community voice and questioned decisions affecting the Flarity Pool and Blackstone.
- Administration Presentation: Eddie McGuire (Director of Operations, BCYF), Sam Lovison (First Deputy Commissioner, PMD), and Brian Ford (Chief of Operations, BPS) presented. They reported that the city operates 22 pools (18 by BCYF, 2 outdoor), with 16 pools operational in 2026 compared to 10 in 2023. Noted major capital projects since 2021: Parish Street, Clarity, Marshall, Mattahunt, Draper, Condon, Quincy, Lee, Perkins, and Hennigan. Stated that Blackstone's pool requires a full excavation due to aging shell and drainage issues. Mentioned $5 million ARPA grant for aquatic repairs. BPS allocated $3.5 million in 2024 and $4 million in 2025 for pool maintenance, with a $4 million contract with Weston Sampson. Reported that 9 BPS schools run swim programs serving 1,300 students, and 1,500 youth swim lessons since 2022.
- Councilor Questions and Discussion: Councilors Peppen, Flynn, Mejia, Durkin, Worrell, and Culpepper asked about specific pools (Blackstone, Flarity, Hennigan, Mason, Mildred, Mattahunt, Holland, Madison Park), programming for seniors, competitive swim pathways, communication with families, and budget/contract details. Administration noted that the Flarity Dolphins operate as a third-party entity under a 501c3 council, following a 2018 MOU after a drowning incident at Curley. They stated they are working with the Dolphins on scheduling but prioritze BCYF programming. Regarding Blackstone, BPS acknowledged the need for an engineering study and noted $500,000 in the capital budget for assessment. Councilor Flynn requested a site visit and independent study.
- Community Panel: Panelists (Oscar, Elizabeth, Louisa, Danny) expanded on their testimonies. Elizabeth challenged the administration's narrative that the Dolphins were never a BCYF team, citing participation in BCYF meets and lack of prior communication. Oscar emphasized that the Dolphins are the only affordable competitive option and called for more teams citywide. Louisa reiterated the need for community-centered management at Hennigan.
Key Outcomes
- Directive for Blackstone Engineering Study: Councilor Flynn called for an independent engineering study to explore reopening the Blackstone pool. Administration committed to arranging a site visit and working on a comprehensive assessment. A $500,000 capital budget allocation exists for a study.
- Citywide Working Group Commitment: Several councilors and community members requested the formation of a citywide working group on competitive swimming, as promised in January 2026. Administration acknowledged the commitment but noted no timeline had been set. Councilors pledged to follow up.
- Flarity Dolphins Future: Administration confirmed the Dolphins can continue using the Flarity pool as a third-party entity, but they are not a BCYF team. Councilors expressed concern about the financial burden on families and the need for clearer communication. No formal decision was made, but ongoing meetings between HHS and families were noted.
- Pool Status Updates: Mildred pool: deemed operable, pending logistics. Mattahunt pool: passed inspection on June 29 and is expected to open soon. Hennigan pool: reopened after five years; community requests for separate entrance and year-round hours under consideration. Murphy school HVAC work: will temporarily relocate summer programming but not directly affect the pool; planned to complete before school year. Madison Park pool: will be operated by BCYF this summer (Tues-Sat, 10-6). Mason pool: under assessment for modernization; no closure timeline.
- Follow-Up Requests: Councilors requested information on the number of Blackstone patrons transported to other pools, details on the South End Fitness Center operations, and specifics on the Swim Whispers training program. Administration agreed to provide these in writing.
- No Formal Votes: The hearing was informational; no votes were taken.
Meeting Transcript
Start. Um, so for the record, my name is Aaron Murphy at large city councilor, and I'm the chair of the Boston City Council Committee on Human Services. Today is June 29th, 2026, and the exact time is ten thirty-two. In accordance with chapter two of the acts of twenty twenty-five modifying certain requirements of the open meeting law in relieving public bodies of certain requirements, including the requirement that public bodies conduct its meeting in public place that is open and physically accessible to the public. The city council will be conducting this hearing virtually via Zoom per the head um sponsor of this request. I don't know if council me here is on yet. I think she should be hopping on soon. This hearing is being recorded. It is also being live streamed at Boston.gov backslash city-council dash TV and broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN channel eighty-two, and FIOS, channel nine six four. Written comments may be sent to the committee email at ccc.hs at Boston.gov and will be made part of the record and available to all counselors. Public testimony will be taken at the end of this hearing. Individuals will be called on on the in the order in which they signed up, and we'll have two minutes to testify. If you wish to sign up for public testimony and have not done so, you can email our Central Staff liaison, Ron Cobb at RON.co B at Boston.gov for the Zoom link, and your name will be added to the list. So today's hearing is on Docket Zero Six Nine Four, in order for a hearing on the conditions, operations, and access of Boston Centers for Youth and Family Pools. This matter was sponsored by Council Mejia, myself and Councillor Pepham, and was referred to the committee on April first, 2026. An issue we have every year, and I know we've checked in, Council Flynn and I had one a couple months back, and I think it's important, especially now that the heat wave's coming and always good to check in and see where we are on this city asset. So if I am correct, in order of arrival, we have Councillor Flynn, Councillor Pepin, and Councillor Durkin. I think that's correct. And if more colleagues join us, I will add them to the list. I'm having technical difficulties. Can you hear me? I can, yes. Thank you. Thank you. And Council Makia is here. Um from the administration, we have Brian Ford, she chief of Operations, BPS. Thank you for being here, Brian. We also have Eddie McGuire, Director of Operations, and I believe it's Sam here from Ada. Sam Lovingson is here, who's the first deputy commissioner for PMD property management department, which we all probably remember. I think it's two years now. The pools BCYF falls now under property management, which has had a positive impact. So looking forward to hearing from them also. And we have some community panelists also who will come second. But before I turn it over to the administration, I'm going to call on my colleagues for any opening statements. I'll go first to the lead sponsors and then to council Flynn and Counselor Jerkin if that is okay with everyone. So Council Mahir, if you're good to go, you can start. Awesome. Can you guys hear me and see me? Uh yes, both. Okay, great. I just want to thank my colleagues for showing up. Uh if anything, if anyone knows anything about me, I've always been all about making sure that we are creating space for community uh to amplify their voices. We've heard a lot of concerns regarding some of the pools, closures, and decisions, protocols, policies, and procedures that have not been in place for effective community um processes, and so my hope is that in our time together, we can understand the how we go about making decisions like this, um, and the level of communication and engagement community plays um in this process. And I just really grateful to community for reaching out to our office and asking us to um create uh a platform uh for them to be heard, and I'm looking forward to working alongside the administration to set you all up for success as we continue to move through this work together. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Um Councillor Peppen. Good morning, everyone. Uh, I'm a pleasure to be here today to talk about this very important topic. I represent three very beautiful pools in my district, and I know that I get a lot of questions from my residents about just the access to them, the quality of the pools, if they're gonna be open this year.
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