Jersey City Swim Teams May Get Their Pool Back After Speaking Out

JERSEY CITY, NJ — After Jersey City's high school swim teams complained last week that one of their pools has been out of service since November, the superintendent said Monday that they may get their pool back shortly.

A coach and at least one student last week said the teams were dismayed because the Ferris High School pool hasn't reopened for practices and meets. Swim season is nearly over.

The McNair, Dickinson, and Ferris high school swim teams often use the Ferris school pool, officials confirmed.

On Thursday, a student spoke at the Jersey City Board of Education meeting (see 4:14) on behalf of the teams, saying, "The last few meets and championships are just around the corner. We desperately need our pool. Our seniors who have worked diligently for four years deserve to fully experience the enjoyment of having a last meet with their team at their home pool."

On Friday, Superintendent Norma Fernandez told Patch, "The district has been repairing the Ferris pool for months, but unfortunately, repairs and construction projects are lengthy and meet legal requirements."

She did not elaborate. But over the weekend, the pool prognosis appeared to improve.

"Everything mechanical is operational at the Ferris Pool," she noted on Monday. "We had a company this weekend apply the chemicals and test the water. Additionally, there is a requirement for a CPO Company to test the water and an individual to test daily."

Depending on the results, she said, the students might be back in their home pool by the end of Monday.

"If the chemical levels are appropriate, students will be able to use the pool after school today for competition and practice," she said.

The four-hour school board meeting can be viewed here or here.