CCBC Essex opens campus pool for public access 

Baltimore County, a place that’s home to nearly 850,000 residents, has no public pool for general use. 

In response to the absence of accessible swimming options, The Community College of Baltimore County collaborated with State Sen. Carl Jackson to open the pool at its Essex campus for community swim through Aug. 15. 

CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis and Jackson officially made the announcement Wednesday morning at CCBC Essex’s Wellness and Athletics Center. 

“This initiative is about equity, access, and community,” Jackson said. 

“For too long, Baltimore County has lacked public swimming facilities—an oversight rooted in long-standing historical inequities. By opening the CCBC Essex pool, we are taking a small but meaningful step toward correcting that history and providing our residents with the safe, shared spaces they deserve.”

As it stands, Baltimore County has pools only in private settings, such as residential complexes, country clubs or gyms. CCBC officials said this “temporary solution” provides an inclusive, welcoming space for community members to swim and stay cool in the summer months.

The pool is free and open to county residents. Swimming guests must check in at the pool area and sign the proper waivers, CCBC officials said.

According to the college, CCBC Essex pool’s community swim hours are:

• Mondays and Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Special Hours: August 11 and August 13 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

“CCBC is proud to open our doors—and our pool—to the community,” Kurtinitis said. “By offering this pool to Baltimore County residents, we’re reaffirming our mission to serve, support and strengthen the communities that surround us.”

CCBC Essex’s 25-by-20 yard, eight-lane pool ranges in depths of three to nine feet with an average water temperature of 84 to 86 degrees.