This $8 million project will upgrade the Poppleton community's pool facility.

BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, December 12, 2024) - Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP), and City officials announced plans for a world-class swimming facility in West Baltimore at a groundbreaking ceremony earlier today. The construction of a brand-new Greater Model Aquatic Center is part of the City's Rec Rollout initiative and broader effort to replace aging pool infrastructure with new, state-of-the-art aquatics facilities.

Baltimore City Recreation & Parks has teamed with CannonDesign to equitably invest in upgrading City pools to ensure that all residents have access to modern, world-class pools. The Greater Model Aquatic Center is an $8 million construction project that will result in a pool with multi-generational aquatic opportunities via both a lap and family recreation pool.

"This project has been driven by a commitment to close the equity gaps that have plagued our City for too long. It's all about access. I believe very strongly that everyone in Baltimore deserves world-class recreational facilities like state-of-the-art pools," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "We all know that the Poppleton community has been waiting a long time. This pool was closed five years ago, but we needed to get it right, and we are on track to build a first-class facility that will once again serve as a gathering place and unifying force for the community."

This project was the result of multi-agency and community collaboration, including the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) and Southwest Partnership. In addition to design consultants CannonDesign, Plano-Coudon Construction is the lead contractor.

"Today's groundbreaking for a new aquatic center is the fourth one since December 2023," said Director Reginald Moore, Baltimore City & Recreation & Parks. "It seems like I spend a lot of time overseeing renovations and upgrades of aging recreational facilities in Baltimore, but failing to do so has never been an option. The citizens of this great city, especially our youth, deserve access to world-class facilities. It's very exciting to know that we will have three new aquatic centers open for the 2025 summer season, and Greater Model will open in summer 2026."

BCRP's Rec Rollout includes ribbon cuttings and a series of groundbreaking celebrations announcing upcoming recreational projects. For event registration, and to stay up to date with these events and more, visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Recnparks.

About Baltimore City Recreation & Parks

Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP) is Baltimore's leading provider of affordable, year-round recreational activities. BCRP builds a stronger Baltimore one community at a time through conservation, well-being and social equity. BCRP manages and maintains 263 parks, 51 recreation centers, 25 miles of biking and hiking trails, and approximately 4,700 acres of parkland. To learn more about our programs and services, visit http://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/.

About the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided $641 million to the City of Baltimore in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. Mayor Brandon M. Scott has established the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs to transparently and effectively administer this funding on behalf of the City. For additional information, visit the Mayor's Office of Recovery Programs website at arp.baltimorecity.gov.