Berlin Closes One Public Swimming Pool

Town of Berlin

BERLIN, CT — For the second year in a row, a once-popular part of the Berlin summer swimming scene is shuttered.

The Denmore, Dinda, Bittner Jr. Memorial Pool in East Berlin at 36 Wilcox Court is shuttered due to town actions earlier this year, according to the Town of Berlin late last week.

A year ago, the town shuttered the pool for the summer of 2023, citing staffing issues.

This year, the town appears to have closed it permanently, with the town slated to conduct a feasibility study regarding the site's future.

The pool's closure leaves just Percival Pool at 20 Highland Ave., Berlin, as the town's lone public swimming pool.

According to the town, the Berlin Park and Recreation Commission recommended the closure of the Denmore, Dinda, Bittner Jr. Memorial Pool.

In recommending the closure, town officials said, the commission cited:

• The significant major repairs known and repairs that may not yet be known given the age of the pool and not operating the pool last year.

• Declining and low attendance at the pool

• Comparative towns in the area have one outdoor pool.

• The unknown of being able to hire enough staff to operate two outdoor pools

The town's rec board also recommended the Berlin Town Council seek a feasibility study of the Demore, Dinda, Bittner Jr. Memorial Pool complex.

That study would look at the cost of converting tennis courts to pickleball courts, renovating or remediating the pool area, upgrading the pool house (bathrooms), and the cost to install utilities, a playground, and a splash pad.

The council approved both recommendations and the feasibility study is underway.

For more information on the Town of Berlin's aquatics programs, click on this link.

From May 5, 2023: 'Berlin Rec: Good News/Bad News On Swimming Offerings'