Business & Tech

MetroWest YMCA CEO Cannonballs Into Pool to Open New Clearbrook Swim Club

YMCA Explains Its Decision to Purchase Clearbrook Pool Club

Not wanting an opportunity to get away from them, the YMCA Board of Directors held an emergency meeting and voted unanimously to purchase, renovate and open the former JCC Clearbrook Swim Club on Parker Road in Framingham, said MetroWest YMCA President and CEO Rick MacPherson.

Framingham Patch was the first media outlet to report that the JCC would not open the pool this season and that the property was going on the market, as the JCC could not afford to make $500,000 worth of renovations, include ADA upgrades.

MacPherson said the YMCA was reviewing the idea of purchasing the property after the JCC put it on the market, when the JCC said a developer was interested in purchasing the property and building houses on it. MacPherson said the YMCA didn't want to let that happen.

The YMCA very quickly renovated and opened the pool in just a matter of a few weeks. The grand opening was Friday afternoon, with MacPherson and YMCA Board chair Diego Betancourt cutting a lane line, instead of a ribbon.

After the "ribbon cutting," MacPherson, Betancourt and a handful of youths christened the pool by cannonballing into it. (You can watch that moment in the attached Framingham Patch video. It is the second video link.)

Several members of the YMCA board were on hand for the opening yesterday including Pam McDonough, Susan Moschini, Paula Martin, Dan Romano and Ron Foisy. Also on hand was Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin.

The new YMCA Clearbrook Swim Club features an outdoor pool, with 4-lanes for laps, plus a 12-foot area for diving.

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There are plenty of chairs for relaxing by the large outdoor pool and chairs by the spray pool for little ones. 

The snack bar will not be opened this season, but members and guests may bring a picnic lunch and each under the umbrella tables in the picnic area.                   

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There is a recreation room, a bath house with locker rooms, and a play area for children.

The outdoor pool will be open Mondays through Fridays from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lifeguards are on duty and children must pass a swim test to be in the deep area of the pool.

Membership is $125 for a YMCA family member, $175 for a YMCA adult member and $275 for the general public. There is free parking.

The Club does have a daily guest rate of $10 per person or $25 per family. The YMCA reserves the right to limit the number of guests based on daily attendance. Credit cards can be used to purchase daily guest passes.


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