Forest Hills — With the goal of creating more opportunities for its athletes and community, Forest Hills Public Schools broke ground on Wednesday for a new $48.23 million aquatic center.
Located next to the Fine Arts Center at the Dr. J. Michael Washburn Campus, the aquatic center is being funded through the $340 million bond proposal that was approved by Forest Hills voters in 2023.
“Today we are breaking ground, but we are doing more than just breaking ground; we are investing in our students, our achievement and the opportunity that is in front of us all here today,” said Superintendent Ben Kirby. “Our Hawks, Huskies and Rangers will have a state-of-the-art facility and a home where we can have many competitive swim meets.”
The 77,813-square-foot facility will feature two pools: a nine-lane, 50-meter competitive pool and a four-lane, 25-meter community pool. Kirby said the dual-pool design will give the district added flexibility, allowing swim practices and community recreation to take place at the same time.
Northern High Athletic Director Ben Sherman said the competitive pool will be able to be divided into 25-meter lanes, making it possible to host two meets simultaneously. The new facility will also allow Forest Hills to host district and state tournaments — an opportunity the current pool does not provide.
Sherman added that the facility will include a separate dive well, improving event flow by allowing diving and swimming competitions to occur simultaneously.
“From an athletic director’s perspective, this new aquatic center represents athletic excellence in action,” Sherman said, noting that students from all three of the district’s attendance areas — Eastern, Central and Northern — will have the opportunity to train together.
“It’s not simply about creating a new building, it’s about creating an environment that intentionally supports growth, learning and team development.”
Potential For Growth
Central senior Lucas Witham, who participates on the Central boys swim team, said because of the new center’s flexibility, he believes it will help grow the district’s swim program, which includes a combined swim team of Northern and Eastern plus a Central swim team. The district also has high school water polo and middle school competitive programs.
Eastern senior and Northern/Eastern boys swim team member Lincoln McAlpine said he has visited about 50 pools across the Midwest and beyond, and each region seems to have one standout facility — a “fast pool” where swimmers hope to compete and often achieve their best times.
“I know this new aquatic center is going to be that place, and swimmers will come from all over to test this waters,” Lincoln said. “Although I won’t be swimming there, I will definitely be coming back to test it out.”
Northern junior Katherine Snodgrass, a member of the Northern/Eastern girls swim team, said the new center’s purpose stretches way beyond high school athletics. Michigan has many bodies of water, so knowing how to swim is an important skill, but not everyone can afford private lessons, she said.
“That’s why having this facility is so important,” Katherine said. “With this aquatic center, every FHPS student will have access to swim lessons regardless of background or experience.”
She said the district’s Whale Tales program helps elementary students build swimming skills, while community swim programs offer affordable family access and recreation programs promote lifelong fitness.
It will take about three years for construction of the pool to be completed, with an opening date set for July 2028, Kirby said.
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