Curtis Hall patrons urge council to preserve morning fitness classes as pool, locker rooms face yearlong renovation

Dozens of Curtis Hall patrons told the Ways and Means Committee on May 18 they depend on morning fitness classes and community programming and urged the Boston Centers for Youth and Families to preserve those offerings while a pool and locker‑room renovation proceeds.

"Programs like 8 2 6 Boston are incredibly important," said Ashley Ochoa, an alumni‑board member for 826 Boston during public testimony; multiple commenters — including long‑time residents Ellen Lepalski, Meg O’Brien and Melissa Allen — described the classes as critical for fitness, social connection and preventive health. Pam (last name not provided), speaking on behalf of participants, asked the council explicitly "to preserve all 5 morning classes," noting classes regularly run near capacity and argued the sessions prevent downstream health costs for older adults.

Councilors and BCYF staff addressed specific facility concerns. Chair Ben Weber asked whether Curtis Hall is closing; BCYF staff said the site is not closing but that the pool, locker rooms and related systems need renovation. "The pool will be closing, needs repair, and include the locker rooms, which are in dire need of repair," BCYF staff said; operations staff estimated the renovation will likely take about a year and noted a projected start in June, acknowledging the schedule had been a moving target.

Commissioner Marta Rivera told patrons the department had not announced any final programming changes and apologized for any communication problems. "There hasn't been a decision made," Rivera said, and offered to continue working with site staff and patrons to identify options for preserving high‑value offerings where feasible.

Why it matters: patrons said the early‑morning classes provide low‑cost preventive care and community ties to older residents and other regular users; BCYF said it aims to minimize disruption but that some temporary closures for repair are unavoidable.

Next steps: BCYF offered to meet with patrons and center leadership to discuss programming and staffing; Rivera and councilors encouraged constituents to follow up with the department policy director and site staff. No final programming eliminations were announced at the hearing.