I’m thrilled to announce that after five years and a major renovation, the Gerry Clubhouse pool is now open. This is a significant milestone for BCNY and our commitment to providing vital aquatic access to members and the wider community.

The reopening of the Gerry pool means we can offer an additional 1,000 BCNY members and community residents in Harlem and the Bronx access to swimming at no charge. At BCNY, we believe that learning to swim is a critical skill that saves lives and opens doors to countless experiences and opportunities.

Our unique aquatics program goes beyond just teaching basic swimming. Our dedicated aquatics teams offer lessons to swimmers of all levels. Members who develop a passion for swimming may join our swim team, pursue lifeguard certification, and find a job at BCNY or another pool. Our staff also instill crucial BCNY values, fostering a healthy balance of confidence and caution in the water.

All of these elements make BCNY aquatics impossible to replicate and the opening of Gerry’s pool will bring this impactful and robust program back to Harlem. Please join me in congratulating Terrence Taylor, ROBERT MARTINEZ, and Michael Stultz for making the seemingly impossible possible. I hope to see you at the Gerry pool this fall.

Onward, Stephen Tosh.