Jerusalem Opens First Public Pool in East Jerusalem With $20 Million Investment

A new community sports center, featuring the first public swimming pool in East Jerusalem, has opened in the Beit Hanina neighborhood. The facility, named the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Sports Center, represents an investment of approximately $20 million.

The project was initiated by the Jerusalem Municipality and the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs, in partnership with Mifal HaPayis and the Jerusalem Foundation, with support from the Mandel Foundation and other donors. The center aims to provide residents of East Jerusalem with advanced sports, swimming, and recreational facilities in an accessible community environment.

The center spans nearly 5,000 square meters and includes an indoor public pool, a children's pool, a swimming instruction pool, fitness halls, sports activity studios, and multi-use public spaces. It is designed to cater to all age groups and community segments, including children, youth, adults, and families.

Local community involvement was a key principle, with Beit Hanina residents and community administration representatives participating in the planning and operational phases. The center is expected to create dozens of jobs in management, coaching, lifeguarding, maintenance, and services, boosting the local economy and providing career opportunities.

This opening is part of broader investments in East Jerusalem neighborhoods, which have included new parks, public facilities, educational institutions, and infrastructure development. The center's inauguration was attended by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, officials from the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs, the Jerusalem Foundation, the Mandel Foundation, and local community representatives.