It’s been six years since the Hanover Stingrays summer swim team have been able to compete in their home pool, but the ‘Rays have moved back in, anticipating their first Suburban Swim League meet of the season on June 13.

“There was always the anticipation to move back,” said Hanover head coach Evan Kocon, who is assisted by Diana Kocon, Elyssa Kocon, Laurie Muller, Chris Black, Samantha Taylor, and junior coach Chelsea Hearn.

The Stingrays were forced to swim at Stark Pool in 2019 after a leak was discovered at Hanover. In 2020, there was no season due to COVID-19. Then, the ‘Rays moved to Memorial Pool for their 2021, 2022, and 2023 meets.

While there were the usual financial concerns in considering the Hanover pool’s rebuild, costs were rising due to the COVID-19 outbreak, so timing was a factor, as well as constructing a pool that would be conducive to hosting swim meets as well as providing for the Hanover community.

Six years later, Evan Kocon and his staff are just happy that the Hanover Stingrays are home.

“Being a community team...A lot of parents work, and the kids can ride their bikes on all the bike paths between the neighborhoods to get to the pool,” Kocon said.

Kocon is seeing a big boost in team members with about 130 swimmers, up from an expected 80-100.

“The changeover in the age of families in the township is a huge positive,” he said. “It’s evident the township has gone through a transformation with a huge number of families that moved in here.”

The Stingrays will host Macungie for their first meet in the new pool on Thursday.