Officials, West Roxbury Community Celebrate Draper Pool Re-Opening

Photo via Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)

Patrons and fans of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families’ Draper Pool in West Roxbury celebrated its re-opening at a special event on Saturday.

The pool re-opened after a year-long, $3.5 million renovation project that began in September 2013 and included upgrades to mechanical systems, interior pool areas, lobby and locker room areas and the exterior, including a newly-paved and redesigned driveway and parking lot, BCYF officials said.

“This neighborhood gem is now upgraded and ready for current and future BCYF Draper Poo swimmers to enjoy the health and wellness benefits of swimming,” said Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, who celebrated the re-opening on Saturday. “I am especially pleased that we were able to utilize natural light and energy-efficient systems which will help reduce energy costs in the future.”

Also included in the project were the addition of a new roof and dehumidification system to help save on energy costs.

The facility now also includes an outdoor patio area, and the pool area includes accordian-style glass doors which are meant to lighten up the pool.

The celebration on Saturday featured appearances by BCYF Interim Executive Director Christopher Byner, Property and Construction Management Department Dep. Director Joe Mulligan and 40-year pool member Stephen Cesso.

“Our City of Boston pools are such a fun and integral part of many of our families’ routines no matter what their age and our Swim League engages over 300 young people each year,” Byner said in a statement. “We are all looking forward to having this pool open again.”

BCYF staff and programming moved to the West Roxbury Education Complex pool during renovations to avoid interruption to the pool’s programming, which includes swim lessons, lap swim, open swim time, a swim team and lifeguard training classes, among other activities.

The park adjacent to the pool, meanwhile, had been renovated and re-opened at the same time the pool closed for renovations, officials said. The park renovations included combining a play structure meant for 2-5 year olds, as well as a play area for 5-12 year olds in an area with more shade, seating and fencing. The total renovation budget for the park came to about $676,000.

Moreover, BCYF staff added a new flag pole outside the Draper Pool facility alongside a plaque that is embedded in a rock, dedicated to lifelong West Roxbury resident and veteran Ed Hogan, Jr. who died four years ago and was known for teaching youths how to swim at the Draper Pool, officials said.