It’s been hot. And Newton has a new, epic fun away to cool off.
The Harry Gath Memorial Pool complex recently got a massive makeover, and the complex opened last week, just in time for the hot summer months.
Construction started on the complex last September.
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller noted in an email to the community that the opening day drew about 500 residents to celebrate.
One pool is a zero-entry (has a part that slopes in so people who can’t use stairs can enter) recreational pool, and the other is an 8-lane lap pool for swim competitions.
Gath Pool serves about 30,000 people each season, according to the city website, and before the renovation the 60-year-old facility was plagued by faltering equipment and infrastructure that wasn’t compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“After nine months of construction that was on time and on budget, I am grateful to literally hundreds of people who made this possible,” Fuller wrote. “I’ll start with a heartfelt thank you to two Commissioners: Josh Morse of Public Buildings and Nicole Banks of Parks, Recreation and Culture and their teams, the Friends of Albemarle and their amazing leaders – Cedar Pruitt, Jacqueline Freeman and Megan Anapolle, Mary and Scott Pohlman of the Newton Bluefish, State Rep. Kay Khan, members of Newton’s Community Preservation Committee and the City Council, and so many residents who helped us design and bring this new complex to completion.”
The Gath summer schedule can be found here.