The Birmingham Blue Dolphins swim club is in line to take over the pool at the former YMCA building at 400 E. Lincoln.

Downtown Publications reported Thursday, Sept. 17, that the Blue Dolphins would assume operations and maintenance of the lower-level pool in the building being renovated for the Next senior center. The city and club have signed an interim pool management agreement, while a longer-term lease remains under negotiation.

The arrangement would give the club a dedicated home at the former YMCA pool. BBD has more than 325 swimmers ages 5 to 18 and is one of the oldest competitive swim programs in metro Detroit. Former head coach Kevin Fogarty built it from about 60 swimmers into a program of more than 300 over a 40-plus-year career before retiring after the 2024 season. Chris Wolford, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience, leads the team.

The pool's future has been an open question since the city purchased the building from the YMCA in June 2023 for $2 million. The city contributed $1.5 million and Next put in $500,000, according to city records. The YMCA, which served Birmingham for nearly 70 years, closed its branch at the end of April 2026. Its lease ran through Aug. 31, 2026, allowing summer day camps to finish.

In an April 2025 letter to City Manager Jana Ecker, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit President and CEO Parrish Underwood called the pool a vital community asset and urged the city to preserve access to swim instruction, recreation and wellness programs for all ages.

The city is renovating the first floor of 400 E. Lincoln for Next, funded by approximately $3.4 to $3.6 million from a senior millage Birmingham voters approved in November 2023. The City Commission approved a design/build agreement with DMC Group at its Monday, Aug. 24 meeting. Earlier city documents projected completion by May 2027.

Next, which has served the community for more than 45 years, operates out of 2121 Midvale St. in the former Midvale Elementary School. The organization must vacate by June 2027, when Birmingham Public Schools needs the building for its Early Childhood Development Center. The City Commission approved a 30-year lease with Next in February 2026 at $1 per year, according to the city manager's report. Next will cover its own utility and operating costs, and all Birmingham residents will receive a free membership.

No formal lease with the Blue Dolphins has been approved. City Manager Jana Ecker said the city expects to present a finalized agreement to the City Commission at its Monday, Oct. 5 meeting.