Story By Cam Cyr, Photos By Town of Hingham and Cam Cyr
Town officials, residents and community members gathered on Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of Hingham’s new community pool at the South Shore Country Club, marking the beginning of construction on a project that has been years in the making.
The original town pool, built in the 1950s and renovated in the 1980s, closed in 2019 after reaching the end of its useful life.
“That old pool put thousands of kids through swimming programs and lessons and enjoyment for many, many summers, and I’m really excited to see that happen again,” George Kay, a member of the Country Club Management Committee said.
The new facility will include a 25-yard competition pool, a zero-depth entry pool to improve accessibility, and a modern bathhouse designed to meet current accessibility standards, and is set to open next summer.
During the ceremony, speakers reflected on the significance of replacing a facility that served generations of Hingham residents.
“Today is not simply about the size of the pool or the construction plans,” Liz Klein, chair of the Hingham Select Board said. “It’s about our community and what it will mean to the people who call Hingham home.”
Officials noted that the new pool will provide opportunities for swim lessons, recreation, lifeguard training, water exercise and summer programming, while also serving as a gathering place for residents of all ages.
The project is the result of years of planning, public input and community support. Speakers thanked town staff, volunteers, advisory committees, design professionals and residents who helped move the project forward.
Construction is now underway, and once completed, the facility is expected to once again become a hub for the community.
“At a time when people do sometimes feel increasingly disconnected, this pool will be a place that brings us together,” Klein said. “It reflects a belief that community matters, that public spaces matter and that residents of every age and ability deserve opportunities to gather, learn, exercise and belong.”