When Border View Family YMCA in San Ysidro opened its doors nearly three years ago after a long pandemic shutdown, its swimming pool remained closed for repairs, with no date for when it might reopen, fueling rumors of an indefinite closure.
That changed Thursday when officials unveiled the upgraded, cherished amenity serving communities such as Otay Mesa West, San Ysidro, Nestor, Imperial Beach and south Chula Vista – areas with limited swimming places.
“This pool is more than just a pool to our community,” Wendi Messina, Border View executive manager, said during a ribbon-cutting event.
“It represents the opportunity to learn essential swim lessons in a community with limited access to safe water,” she added. “It offers a space for water exercise and lap swimming for individuals that are just looking to get healthy. It provides a fun and safe space for families and students to gather play and have a sense of community.”
The outdoor facility was in dire need of repair and work became more urgent following the pandemic shutdown.
“It was without water for around four years and just with years of having no water, the inside of the pool got damaged through sun exposure,” said Aquatics Director Jesus Aguirre.
But the half-Olympic-sized pool now looks brand new, thanks to a $1 million grant from San Diego County’s Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs. Funds covered construction and operation costs, including hiring Aguirre, as well as monthly swimming lessons for one year. The county Board of Supervisors approved the allocation of funds in May.
The pool offers five lanes for individual swimming and two lanes designated for children and families. It also has a ramp and assisted lift to allow people with limited mobility to ease into the water. There are also restrooms, shaded seating areas and a reopened locker area.
Border View will offer swimming lessons and water exercise classes for all age groups. In an effort to expand partnerships with local schools, the YMCA branch will use a $10,000 grant from the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego to offer Montgomery Middle School students free swim lessons, said Aguirre.
The pool schedule is as follows:
- Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10 a.m.
- Fridays from 7-9 a.m.
- Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon
A community pool party is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The event will include swimming in the heated pool, food offered by YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach, giveaways and community resources.
For more information about the pool, visit the YMCA aquatic facilities webpage.
