A Splash Toward the Future: Forest Hills Breaks Ground on New Aquatic Center

Forest Hills Public Schools marked an exciting milestone with the groundbreaking of its new Aquatic Center—a project that reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to student wellness, athletic excellence, and community engagement. Surrounded by students, staff, community members, and project partners, the ceremony celebrated the beginning of a space that will serve generations of learners and swimmers for years to come.

On Wednesday, December 17th, Forest Hills Public Schools celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of the new aquatic center.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony drew a large crowd and featured speeches from the Forest Hills superintendent and athletic director, four Forest Hills swim athletes, and the Board of Education president. A ceremonial beam was on display for attendees to sign, which will be installed in the Aquatic Center, allowing the community, students, athletes, and project partners to be a part of the building for years to come.

Forest Hills mascots even helped break ground on the new facility!

A Little Bit About the Project

The new 54,000+ square-foot Aquatic Center is designed to serve both competitive athletics and the broader community, featuring two pools—one dedicated to competition and one intended for community and multi-purpose use. This thoughtful layout allows Forest Hills Public Schools to host swim meets and competitive events while simultaneously accommodating swim lessons, team practices, and community programming. By separating these functions within a spacious, modern facility, the Aquatic Center maximizes flexibility, increases access, and ensures it can support a wide range of activities at the same time for students, athletes, and community members alike.

Construction is officially underway, beginning with site grading and earthwork to prepare the foundation for the new Aquatic Center. Excavators are actively leveling the site and removing soil to establish proper elevations and ensure a stable base for the facility. In total, approximately 60,000 cubic yards of dirt will be excavated and hauled from the site—representing more than 3,000 truckloads—a substantial effort that marks a highly visible first phase as the project transitions from planning into active construction. The project is schedule to be completed summer of 2028.

The groundbreaking of Forest Hills Public Schools’ new Aquatic Center marks an exciting milestone for the district, students, and the community. This state-of-the-art facility will provide a home for competitive swimming, lessons, practices, and community programs for years to come. We are grateful to the Forest Hills community for their ongoing support and enthusiasm, which make projects like this possible. Be sure to watch for updates as the project progresses—together, we are building not just a facility, but a lasting resource that will benefit generations of students and residents alike.