Letter to the Editor Regarding the Renovation of the Scarsdale Pool

The following letter was submitted by Susan Levine:

To Scarsdale Residents and Scarsdale Pool Lovers:

Your comments about the proposed Scarsdale Pool Project should be sent to poolcomments@scarsdale.gov before December 1.

As a resident who has been a long time member of the Scarsdale Pool Complex I would like to urge the Mayor and Board of Trustees to choose to keep the four pools that we have enjoyed for 56 years in the same spaces that they now occupy.  Doing that should save 6 million dollars in costs according to the pool consultants. (41 million is proposed now.)

New building codes will be applied as required. A total renovation with new heaters and filtration systems and pumps and pipes and whatever else is needed

is not questioned. But changing the shape and size and location of the four pools seems arbitrary and not necessarily better. The original concept was intelligent and served us well.

The pool consultants are not aware of that aspect of the proposed renovation. They have no affection for the Scarsdale Pool complex as do those of us who have been summer members and they have not seen how well it functions as it does now.

Changing the pools just for the sake of change does not make sense to me and adds unnecessary expense.

Adding a splash pad for youngsters would be just fine. Renovating the building with showers and changing rooms seems necessary. A new restaurant? Not so much...Saxon Woods has one nearby. Our snack bar is wonderful in every way and deserves to remain as it is.

I worry that many residents have No Idea about this proposed pool renovation and the huge expense involved, especially if we leave the consultants' proposals as they are. A bond will be paid for by all residents for 20 years. 41 million is quite a number. 35 million is less. Still a lot but better.

And restoring the pool to its original glory is a good idea...with some enhancements that make sense.

Those residents who have summer homes or their own pools or enjoy country clubs will never join the pool. Nothing will change that fact. Those who do join the pool and who love the pool need to speak up now.

Please send your comments to poolcomments@scarsdale.gov..

Thank you.
Susan Levine
Scarsdale Pool Member