The Winchester Select Board and Winchester School Committee have conditionally approved a site in the northeast corner of Skillings Field for the aquatics facility. Click HERE to view the 2018 Joint Resolution of the Winchester Select Board and School Committee addressing Skillings Field as the Swim Winchester site. This location complements the Winchester High School sports fields and prioritizes pedestrian access. Existing parking can be used for overflow during the facility’s busiest times – after school, on weekends, and in the summer. Design and construction will take into account neighborhood input, soil conditions, and flood mitigation.
Note: the below site plan was drafted in 2021. The proposed parking location and the pool building layout have since been updated in the 2022 Preliminary Design
Why is Skillings Field the preferred site?
Skillings Field (next to Winchester High School) was chosen as the best site out of 17 options evaluated by a Site Alternative Study. Two of its major advantages are its central location and parking. At this location, the community pool and fitness center integrates into our vibrant town with easy access from the high school, Jenks Center, and connection to our local businesses. Parking can be shared with the high school and other green spaces in town are preserved.
What about the floodplain?
The town’s multi-million dollar flood mitigation program is expected to reduce the size of the floodplain in the area, making construction on the northeast corner of Skillings field possible. The building would be carefully designed to minimize flood risk, possibly with the basin above ground.
NANCY BIGELOW, Tufts University Swim Coach & Swim Winchester Board Member
With multi-generational appeal, the aquatics center will be a SPACE THAT CONNECTS THE ENTIRE WINCHESTER COMMUNITY while offering much-needed aquatic programming.
SUZANNE LESLIE, WHS Alum and Mother of Two
Having a child who is on the autism spectrum, I’ve learned the importance of aquatic therapy. I’VE SEEN THE JOY AND TRANSFORMATION OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WITH APPROPRIATE SWIM INSTRUCTION. I am so pleased that Swim Winchester is considering the needs of our special needs community for therapeutic aquatic programming as it could benefit so many children and adults in our town.
JOHN SULLIVAN, Former Winchester Town Moderator
To me, a community pool would be a perfect addition to our town’s current infrastructure, benefiting the health and well being of all citizens, across all ages and levels of physical ability. AN INDOOR POOL PROVIDES FOR YEAR-ROUND EXERCISE AND AFFORDABLE RECREATION, independent of the weather. In addition, for young people, learning to swim at an early age is a major safety achievement.