GREENFIELD — Thanks to a partnership with the Gill-Montague Regional School District, the aquatics programming at Franklin County’s YMCA can continue for the duration of renovation work on its 75-year-old pool.

The YMCA’s pool closed on Jan. 1 for an estimated 12 weeks, at which time programming was moved to Turners Falls High School, located at 222 Turnpike Road in Montague. The roughly $350,000 project will include repairing the deck, ensuring the concrete is solid and ensuring the grout between all the tiles is sealed, according to YMCA CEO Grady Vigneau Jr.

“We are humbled and flattered with Gill-Montague for agreeing to do this,” Vigneau said. “They could have said no. … The whole process was, ‘We’re all in this together; let’s find a way to do it.”

Water Fitness classes, Water Therapy and Lap Swim will take place Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Due to time restrictions during the week and unavailability of the pool during weekends, youth and family swim programs have been paused.

Vigneau said that after putting out a call to area schools and organizations with pools, two in particular stepped up: leadership at Turners Falls High School and Deerfield Academy.

“[Deerfield Academy] was willing to give us the pool at no charge,” he said. “The problem is … it’s really hard to get to the pool. The’s a 350-step staircase. Accessibility would have been an issue for our folks. To avoid steps, you’d have to … take a convoluted path through the field house.”

Turners Falls High School, meanwhile, offered a pool on the ground level, with easy access from the parking lot. Availability was also less restricted. Vigneau said the YMCA is paying “a small amount of money” hourly for the use of the pool, and in exchange for its use, the YMCA is offering free lifeguard certification courses for anyone in the school district.

“We’re really excited about that,” he said. “It’s going to help everybody in the county.”

Aquatics Director Lisa Woodall is also offering classes for the students in the district’s special education program, he added.

Vigneau credited Gill-Montague’s Superintendent Brian Beck, Facilities and Safety Director Heath Cummings, Director of Business and Operations Joanne Blier, and Turners Falls High School Principal Christopher Barnes for making the partnership possible.

“We’re really excited,” said Vigneau. “We’re humbled and we’re pleased with how it’s going so far.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter (X): @MaryEByrne.