Pittsfield Swimming Pool

Chris Downing, Recreation Director
Tel: (207) 487-3136 ext.520

The Town's outdoor swimming pool was built by funds raised by the Kiwanis Club in the early 1950's. The Town was to take responsibility for ongoing operation and maintenance. An official Pool Committee is appointed by the Town Council. The pool has served the community continuously for 44 years.

Each year the Kiwanis Club continues to support the pool by donating the funds to repaint the pool prior to opening.

The Town offers the Red Cross "Learn to Swim" Program in three 3-week sessions. This program is extremely popular and serves a regional need, with 300 students having consistently been enrolled in the program each summer, with a waiting list of 100 more. Children from neighboring communities have been charged a $20 fee, while Pittsfield residents have been charged just $5 (of this, $3 goes to the Red Cross). Beginning in 1996, the Town charged $1 per person per day for open swimming, regardless of residency. Up to 1,000 area children and adults use the pool on a daily basis during hot weather. If a new pool is constructed, the increased costs may require that a user fee system be incorporated, with higher rates charged to non-residents. Some residents of Detroit and Burnham have incorrectly perceived that they have resident status for use of the pool due to membership in the three-town school district.

In 2002, the investigation began into constructing a new pool was begun by the Pool Committee and supported by the Community Center Team of the Comprehensive Plan Committee. There are many decisions to make regarding size, design, and materials to be used, which should follow from a clear community needs assessment, expert advice, and available funds.

The Pool under construction.

The Pool in 1972.