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by Portland Parks Conservatory We’re thrilled to announce that the fundraising campaign to build the new 21st Century Community Pool at Dougherty Field has officially reached its $1.25 million goal. This milestone reflects months of dedication, generosity, and community spirit from more than 150 individuals, families, foundations, civic groups, and businesses who came together to make this vision a reality.
The new 21st Century Community Pool carries forward the legacy of the beloved Kiwanis Pool, which first opened in 1961. For more than six decades, the Kiwanis Pool was a summertime landmark for Portlanders, a place where kids learned to swim, families gathered on hot days, and neighbors came together to enjoy one of the city’s most cherished public spaces. After 63 years of service, it was time for an upgrade. The new facility will build on that legacy, providing a safer, more accessible, and modern space that meets the needs of today’s residents while preserving the sense of community that made the original pool so special. The new pool will feature a waterslide, splash pad, zero-grade entry for accessibility, and dedicated lap and water-walking areas. Once open, it will accommodate up to 400 users at a time, four times the capacity of the old Kiwanis Pool, ensuring that everyone in Portland, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy the water safely. Construction is already well underway at Dougherty Field. The pool foundation has been poured and is currently undergoing leak testing, with concrete for the deck and splash pad to follow soon. Installation of the slides will begin after that, keeping the project on schedule for a full summer season in 2026. The campaign was co-chaired by Rachael and Justin Alfond and supported by a dedicated volunteer cabinet including Micky Bondo, Gaetan Davis, Mary Noyes, Sue Palmer, Molly Curren Rowles, Kate Snyder, Nate Stevens, and Conservancy Executive Director Jack Phillips. Lead gifts that propelled the campaign were generously provided by The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, Rachael and Justin Alfond, Unum, Amazon, Cabin Foundation, MaineHealth, Kennebec Savings Bank, Jean Hoffman, Laura Kittle and Jeremy Moser, John Ryan and Jenny Scheu, Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, Pond Family Foundation, OceanView at Falmouth, Lucas Geant Fund, Horizon Foundation, and several anonymous donors. When the pool opens in 2026, there will be a ribbon-cutting celebration to invite the entire community to mark this exciting new chapter for Portland. Thank you to everyone who gave, supported, and believed in this project. Pool Campaign Supporters (listed alphabetically)
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November 2025
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