More than a year after the Metropolitan Recreation Center on Bedford Avenue shut its doors, Williamsburg is still without one of its few public pools, and neighbors say they are tired of waiting. Regulars who once built their weekly routines around lap lanes, classes and women-only hours say the closure has scrambled their schedules and stripped away a key social hub.
Closed Since January 2025, Members Say
According to News 12 Brooklyn, the Parks Department facility at 261 Bedford Avenue has been locked since January 2025 because of poor air circulation. Longtime member Rifka Friedman told the outlet she now takes the 62 bus to the L train to swim in Lower Manhattan and is paying about $67 a month after leaving the Met’s low-cost membership, which she said had cost roughly $25 a year.
Air Tests and Failed Temporary Fixes
According to Gothamist, Parks shared an email with members saying testing found elevated levels of ground-level ozone and that short-term measures to improve circulation did not resolve the problem. The agency told members the center must remain closed "until we are able to install a full dehumidification system in the natatorium," and Gothamist reported Parks would extend memberships for those affected.
Procurement Shows Work Moving Forward
A public procurement posting for replacement work at the Met pool lays out plans to reconstruct the dehumidification system, with pre-bid activity listed in November 2025 and a contract start date in mid-2026. The notice describes replacing dehumidifiers, condensers and related equipment to address air-quality and dehumidification failures, matching Parks’ position that a full capital renovation is needed before anyone can get back in the water.
Neighbors and Leaders Press Parks for Answers
At rallies and a City Council hearing, local residents and elected officials have pushed the department for clearer timelines and accountability. Per News 12 Brooklyn, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, "This is not a money issue," and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the department for relying on temporary fixes instead of advancing a long-term capital project.
For now, reopening depends on procurement, construction and inspections. Parks officials say they are committed to restoring the center but have not provided an exact date, and residents say they will keep pressing for a concrete calendar as the neighborhood heads into another season without its public pool.
