Trustees Unveil Schematic of Reimagined Pool Complex

We’ve known for years that the beloved Scarsdale Pool Complex has outlived its “useful” life, but what should replace it? Earlier this year, Mayor Justin Arest announced that the old pool complex would be open this summer for the 2025 season, and that construction on the new complex would begin in September 2025.
The question is, what will be built? And at what cost?

After years of studies, public forums, surveys and meetings, the Scarsdale Village Trustees unveiled a program design for the replacement of the Village’s 56 year-old pool complex at a work session with stakeholders including the consultants, the Village staff and pool committee members on Tuesday October 29, 2024.

Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg explained, “We did not seek out this project – it was handed to us. We are passing the baton forward and we are acting as stewards for the Village in their work to preserve a beloved community asset.” She added, “This project was inherited from former Boards and will not be completed until many members of the current Village Board have moved on.”

Trustee Karen Brew reiterated that the pool complex is beyond repair. The equipment is obsolete and the facility does not meet health and safety codes. When mechanical parts break, they are no longer available for purchase. And once one part is repaired, the entire complex would need to be brought up to code.
Therefore, a re-imagined complex is in the works.

The purpose of this week’s meeting was to review a conceptual programmatic site plan to replace and modernize the pool complex. The plan took into account all the feedback the consultants received and incorporated as many elements as possible into the concept for a four-pool complex to accommodate all generations of the community. The Mayor stressed that this was a conceptual plan and that nothing has yet been decided.

Larry Medvinsky who is the Chair of the PRC and the Pool Advisory Committee told the group that the Village surveyed residents and that over 90% of respondents were current or former pool members. The outcome of the outreach was that people love and value the pool. It also attracts new residents and helps preserve home values.

What’s In the Plan?

He presented the schematic and highlighted some of the features of the proposal:

Recognizing the need to accommodate all segments of the community, the complex will include features such as a zero-entry pool to ease entry into the water, a leisure pool for adults, a dolphin shaped children’s pool and a clam shell shaped wading pool for Scarsdale’s youngest residents. A competition lap pool and diving pool will accommodate swimmers and divers. In between the two children’s pools will be a splash pad, guaranteed to delight kids of all ages. The four pools will be heated.

The expanded building will have separate locker rooms men, women and families along with another separate facility for the day camp so that the main locker rooms are not overwhelmed by the camp population. There will also be a main entrance and another camp entrance to ease access during the weeks when the Recreation Camp is in season. For those wishing to store their pool chairs and equipment, seasonal locker pods would be available. There would also be an indoor multi-purpose rooms for activities, games and meetings.

The consultants discussed the possibility of a more extensive food concession stand or restaurant with the access to the community without entrance to the pool. This would permit those using the fields or courts nearby to stop in for a bit. Separate entry could also be permitted for use of the Volleyball and Basketball courts which would be located on the Boulder Brook side of the site.

Responding to those who wish to retain the complex’s park-like field, the plan includes plenty of grassy areas as well as shaded areas for relaxation. A gazebo would provide more shade and a site for gatherings.

For those who called for a year-round indoor pool, the consultants are leaving a further option open. The separate lap and diving pool could be “domed” or enclosed down the line, making it usable year-round.

How Much Will It Cost?

What is the price tag? The longer the Village waits to start, the higher the price goes up. The estimate for this plan, without the indoor option is $41 mm. The Village would need to issue bonds to finance the work. That would translate to a $504 increase in the Village tax portion of the average household’s bill for the next 20 years.
The consultants also provided an estimate of $2 to $12 to enclose the lap pool and diving area, depending on the type of enclosure that was used. For this option, the storage building next to the competition pool would need to be replaced with a two-story winterized structure to house heated bathrooms, changing rooms and a multipurpose room.

Public Comments

Trustee Karen Brew invited attendees to give public comments. The majority of the audience were seniors who wanted to repair rather than replace the pool complex, despite the explanation of why this cannot be done.

Susan Levine said she has lived here since the pool was built. She said, “The rest of thetown will not be seduced by anything you do. The people who join don’t have summer homes. We love the pool. The people who enjoy it want it to stay as is –and maintain the feel.”

Marion Green – Chair of Council for People with Disabilities asked for some features for the handicapped. She said, “We need handicapped parking, handicapped bathrooms, sinks and soaps, non-slip floors, Vehicles currently go through the Little School – that’s dangerous. The walk up from the pool is difficult. Will there be quiet space?”

Marian Schoen of 28 Springdale Road said, “We have been members since 1978.I would like you to list why the pools as they are cannot be repaired and changed. The $500 increase in taxes is quite significant. What do you expect the membership fee would be?
Yes this looks beautiful. I do think there have to be some changes but why can’t you start from what you have and improve that? This community should have an indoor facility – but why can’t you stop with what you have?”

Mayor Arest explained explained again why the current facility is not up to code and cannot be simply upgraded. He added, “We are trying to create an atmosphere where more residents will want to use the pool.” Trustee Jeremy Gans added, “If you make any modification to a pool facility, the entire facility must be up to code. That’s why this is a big project.” Bill Simmons from Lothrop Associates said, “The equipment is obsolete. It has outlived its useful life. If we keep going, the pools will have to be closed. The risk is that it will go out of commission entirely.”

Myra Saul of 5 Lincoln Road said she has lived here for 35 years. She said, “We love the pool. We are there almost every day in the summer. It is our summer backyard. I accept that the pool needs to be rebuilt. Enhancements should be reasonable and cost effective. There have been on and off discussions about making the pool a full time facility. Maybe the high school would be using the pool for practice. Can the school chip in? The pool is an inducement to stay here after the children move on. That costs money!”

Scott Mishara of 216 Nelson Road said, “It’s obvious that we need the new pool. I am in favor of a new pool. Thank you for all the hard work.” He questioned whether or not the diving boards should be next to the lap swimmers and said, “I think people should be able to afford $500 a year for the community.”

Joan Uchitelle – 11 Ridgecrest West said, “I am concerned about the non-resident members of the pool - what is the number of non-resident members? People are not using it.” The Mayor replied, “That’s the reason we want to enhance the pool – to bring people back.”

Trustee Sameer Ahuja added, “When you have an old facility fewer people will go. If we invest, we can get 500 more people to join the pool.” He did a quick financial analysis to show how it would enhance home values.

He said, “The current assessed value of homes in Scarsdale is about $9bn. A 40M pool project represents 0.5% of this total value. House values go up 3-5% a year on average. In 20 years, the possible life of the bond for the pool, the value of homes in Scarsdale could very well be $14Bn. Many public sources suggest that pools contribute anywhere from 3-7% to the value of homes in a community. If you assume that value contribution is 5%, that is means the pool could contribute $250M to values of our homes. Even if you don’t believe it is that high, let’s say it’s 1% contribution. Even that is $50M, which pays for the potential cost of the pool.”

A resident named Monica said that the pool was one of the reasons her family moved to Scaarsdale. She said, “There is no solution that will make everyone happy – but what is the timeline to make this decision? The plan as of now is to start construction in September 2025.?

Meredith Lonner said she has lived here her whole life and that she is thrilled with the plans for the new pool.”

Alan Garfunkel said, “We need 15 lap lanes - and I don’t want diving in the same area. And if you are going to make it an indoor pool the locker rooms will need to be heated.”

Barbara Greebel of 40 Tompkins Road saod she has lived here since 1958. She posed many questions. “What is the gazebo? Where is the snack bar going to be? What is the present capacity of the large pool and what will be the capacity of the new pool? Where is the zero entry area? What is the grading – right now it is too steep.”

Anne Moretti of 10 Pinecrest is a member of the Council on People with Disabilities. She was happy to see recognition of “empty nesters,” or “free birds.” She said, “Thanks to the committee for spending hours evaluating every iteration.” As a real estate agent she said, “Do the math – there will be an increase in the equity growth of your house for whoever inherits it. A state of the art pool facility is a game changer. I always take prospective buyers to the pool. It will improve the quality of life.”

Harris Sokoloff of 350 Heathcote Road said, “I want to say how impressed I am. I have three kids under 6 years old. I like the pools for the kids and the rental lockers. I don’t think you’re adding enough features to bring more people to the pool. I would suggest you look at further enhancements. We should let people from surrounding neighborhoods like Wilmot Woods join the pool. I am against the indoor pool – it’s a financial burden and we can’t get life guards.”

Take a look at the entire presentation on the Village website here and give your input on the plan by emailing poolcomments@scarsdale.gov.