City College Swimming Pool Will Reopen

The City College of New York (CCNY) is regaining one of its most glorious facilities after nearly nine years of closure. The Jeremiah H. Mahoney pool, located in the basement level of the Marshak Science Building, is set to reopen to CCNY as well as the local Harlem community.  

An update on the CCNY Athletics website says that the swimming pool renovation is nearly complete and will reopen in January 2023. The school expects testing to be finished by the end of December and is actively looking for an aquatics director.  

The pool was closed in 2014 after maintenance workers discovered leaks and cracks. Rigorous inspections uncovered deeper problems. As it turned out there were issues with the pump which circled water through the filter systems to the pool to keep it clean. The stairs that led to the pump were also collapsing, meaning workers couldn’t access the pump to repair it.  

CUNY central approved the renovation in 2014 but many things happened to slow work down. City College spokesman Jay Mwamba blamed “supply chain delays.” Interim Director of Athletics Steve Macias pointed to “the pandemic.” But these hurdles are in the past now and if everything falls into place the swimmers from this community will have a facility welcoming them in a matter of months.  

Students are excited to hear the pool is reopening. When asked if he sees himself using the pool Rodrigo Cury Ito, a student at CCNY, said, “Absolutely, I do. I miss swimming a lot. The public pools around me shut down so I’ll be swimming here now.”  

Some students think it’s valuable for exercise. “Considering how many people our age are health conscious and into fitness, I believe it’s another good form of exercise for those interested,” said Wendy Tlalmanalco, a CCNY undergrad student.  

The Athletic Department hasn’t set a pool schedule yet, but everyone can expect to see classes that offer beginner to advanced swimming instructions open to students, faculty, and outside groups of all ages. CCNY Vice President of the Office of Institutional and Advancement and Communications Dee Dee Mozeleski said “One of the bigger goals is to try and figure out how to include everyone. During the pandemic some of our local pools closed permanently, so we understand that we are one of the remaining pools and want to be as responsive as possible.”  

Fees for use of the pool are still up in the air. “In the past when the pool was open 10 years ago there were highly discounted fees for students, faculty, and staff. Faculty had one fee and students had another. We’re talking less than $10,” Mozeleski said.  

Everyone will have to follow college rules and wear a swim cap in the pool. If they don’t bring their own, the athletic office will sell caps for as little as $5.00.   

Students predict many on campus and outside the gates will use the pool. “The pool adds to the diversity of extra curriculars that students could partake in,” said Leslie Rosario, a graduating senior at CCNY. “I am happy that future students will have this option to choose from because not many inner-city kids have a clean and maintained place to learn how to swim. The swim lessons that will be offered gives them the opportunity to learn a skill they otherwise would have had limited access to.”