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Jamaica Plain residents press council to prioritize reopening of Hennigan community center and pool
Summary
Residents testified at the May 6 Ways and Means hearing asking for clearer timelines and community engagement on repairs and reopening of the Hennigan community center and pool. BCYF described the site’s programming and said repairs are underway with BPS and contractors.
At the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means hearing on May 6, 2025, community representatives from Jamaica Plain urged the council and city agencies to prioritize repairs and clearer communication about the BCYF Hennigan community center and pool.
Louisa Harris, representing Jamaica Plain Neighbors Organization, told the committee the community held an April 10 meeting with about 150 attendees and launched a petition pressing the city to reopen the site. Harris said residents want “the sports center to be operational and accessible to the whole community with programming and hours of operation that align with our community’s needs.” She asked for clearer communication on the status of capital and operational assessments and a timeline for next steps.
BCYF’s response and site description Commissioner Marta Rivera and Director of Operations Edward McGuire described Hennigan as a school‑based BCYF site that programs a pool, gym, a teen center and three classrooms. Rivera said the three classrooms are used by a licensed after‑school program run in partnership with the Jamaica Plain Community Center Council and that the site serves a large African and Muslim community.
Rivera provided usage figures to the committee to show the center’s activity level: she said the Hennigan had more than 25,000 visits in calendar year 2024, about 1,200 active members, and 6,700 visits in January through March 2025. “The actual programmable square footage at the site, it’s not a lot and yet the community center is thriving,” Rivera said, noting more than 70 different activities offered in the first quarter of 2025.
On pool repairs, Edward McGuire said the pool had several issues identified in the last year and that BCYF and Boston Public Schools facilities staff are working with outside contractors, including Weston & Sampson, to repair the pool and bring it back into safe operation. “Safety comes first, as well as the necessary investment so that the pool does not, again, fall into a scenario where we’re unable to operate it,” McGuire told the committee.
Council questions and community next steps Multiple councilors who represent adjoining districts pressed BCYF for a clearer timeline and better community communication. Councilor Ricardo P. Santana and others said they had attended a recent community meeting and asked BCYF to provide more transparent updates; Rivera and McGuire said they would relay repair status and timelines as they become available.
The Jamaica Plain residents’ petition and continued advocacy reflect community demand for local athletic, cultural and senior programming tied to the Hennigan site. BCYF said it will continue to coordinate with Boston Public Schools, property management and third‑party contractors and will inform the community when the repairs are complete and the pool can safely reopen.
