Trustees Explore Overhaul of the Scarsdale Pool Complex
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The pool complex opened in 1969 on 7.6 acres previously owned by the American Legion. Pictured above: Mayor Saul Horowitz Jr., Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Robert Eldridge and Village Trustee, Hartselle Kinsey. When the Scarsdale Pool Complex opened in 1969 the four pools, volleyball court and locker rooms were state of the art facilities. Now 52 years later, it’s a struggle to keep the pools and equipment functioning as it has outlived its useful life and is in dire need of an overhaul.
But how much of an overhaul is in order? Do the pools need to be renovated or replaced? Should the complex include water features like sprinklers and slides? How much is the community willing to spend on the work?
According to Mayor Jane Veron, in order to find answers to these questions the Village developed an RFP “to identify outside experts who could lead the study and condition assessment.” They received proposals from nine firms, narrowed the field to two and conducted in person interviews and unanimously selected Lothrop Associates who will partner with Ballard & King for the Market Survey Report and The ETC Institute for a statistically valid survey.
The $114,000 bid includes an assessment of the existing pool conditions, a statistically valid survey of residents on their views on the pool and an in-depth analysis of demographics, expected usage and pricing. Once all this information is gathered and parsed, Lothrop will come up with three pool concepts and associated costs for consideration by the community. The consultants said, “The main point is to come to a conceptual design at a cost that everyone would like to build.”
Pool and Communnity Center in Mt. Pleasant
At this point, the Trustees are only deciding on whether or not to hire the firms for the feasibility study. They are not giving the go ahead to do any work at the pool complex.
At a work session at Village Hall on Tuesday night September 21, 2021 the three firms were invited to present to the Board and the public in Village Hall and via Zoom.
William Simmons explained that Lothrop Associates LLP is based in White Plains and has built many municipal and facilities in Westchester and beyond including the Mt. Pleasant Aquatic and Community Center, Kittrell Municipal Pool in White Plains, Leewood Golf Club in Eastchester and the Larchmont Yacht Club Pool Complex. Nine years ago they created a division called Aquatectonic dedicated to pools and are responsible for 80% of all commercial pools in the greater NYC region. They are currently replacing the pool at Playland Park and doing a scoping report for Twin Oaks Public Pool in Chappaqua along with work at many New York City school pools.
The Larchmont Yacht ClubTheir first step would be to do an existing conditions survey of the pool complex at the same time that Ballard*King Associates does a marketing survey report. Their survey would identify the demographics of potential users, expected participation rates, how much they would be willing to spend and include information about the presence of backyard pools and use of local country clubs. In order to cast the widest net they would use both mail and online outreach to get community input.
They will conduct focus groups and also host open houses with residents to get feedback on what residents want from the pool. The survey results will be analyzed by ECT Institute with the end goal of coming up with a program recommendation based on what the community said they are looking for.
Based on this information, Lothrop will present the Village with three pool concepts and estimated costs. The first might be the most minimal to repair the existing facility, the second might include some bells and whistles like water features and the third could include larger enhancements like water slides, a lazy river or sprinklers. All three schemes will include modern and efficient systems that will save energy.
Charles Cook Memorial Pool in Cortlandt Manor
Along with the schemes ,Lothrop will provide operational plans on what it will cost to maintain and run the pools, along with projections of associated revenues, membership rates, penetration rates, anticipated usage for special events and parties etc.
The entire project from approval to final presentation is expected to take 23 weeks or about six months.
The next move is for the Trustees to place a resolution to approve the $114,000 market study and existing conditions survey on the agenda for an upcoming Village Board meeting.
Flooding Closes Popular Restaurants and Retailers on East Hartsdale Avenue
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Hurricane Ida did more than flood residents basements. Visitors to Hartsdale have noticed that a strip of stores on the south side of the street are closed, after the torrential downfall of rain flooded the retailers basements on East Hartsdale Avenue.
Affected by the deluge are Bagels and More, the Irish Bank, K Fung's and Rite Aid. With Yom Kippur this week, many called Bagels and More to place their break fast orders, only to learn that the popular bagel bakery was out of commission. Please note that Enrico's Bakery, Masala Kraft and Granita Cucina are open.
We spoke to the managing agent of the properties at Aires, Deitch and Edelson who explained that water flowing down from the golf course and inundating the parking lot flowed into the basement of the retail strip. He said there was simply “too much water coming down in a short period of time.” He pointed a finger at the Town of Greenburgh for failing to make the necessary infrastructure investment to protect the strip from these catastrophic storms.
He said that in addition to the damage to the shopping strip, some cars were lost at the Hartsdale train station and in the underground parking garages in the apartments that line East Hartsdale Avenue.
All of the stores are now being cleaned up and testing their power boxes to assess damage to the electrical systems.
When will they reopen? He said, “probably in a few weeks.”
We Made It Through the Rain: Scarsdale Weathers Hurricane Henri
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The Bronx River Parkway was more river than parkway. Photo Credit: Kathleen Campbell.Scarsdale appears to have dodged the worst of Hurricane Henri. Though there were some downed trees and branches and areas of local flooding from over six inches of rain over two days, the Village weathered the storm well. On Sunday a large tree fell on Oak Lane and knocked out power to 36 customers and the Bronx River Parkway flooded at Fenimore Road. But as of Monday morning the roads were clear and the storm appeared to be moving on.
On Monday morning we found flooding at one of the high school parking lots – and also noticed that the large seven acre retention basin at George Field was doing its job.
The weekend police report showed the following:
A large tree fell on Oak Lane and knocked out the power to 30 customers around noon on Sunday 8-22.
A large branch fee on Post Road, and a white Honda minivan had a large tree branch wedged underneath in at 3 pm on Sunday 8-22. A towing company was called to lift the car off of the branch.
A clogged storm drain caused flooding at the intersection of Wynmor and Secor Roads at 4:00 pm. Police were able to clear the drain and alleviate the flooding.
Fox Meadow Road flooded at the intersection of Paddington Road at 4:15 pm Sunday and was taped off.
The retention field at George Field Park did its job.
A tree fell on the guest house of a home on Mamaroneck Road at 4:30 pm Sunday. No one was injured.
There was flooding on Brookby Road at 4:30 pm Sunday and it was blocked to traffic.
At 4:45 pm on Sunday Boulevard flooded and was closed.
Tree branches were removed from Palmer Avenue and Griffen Avenue Sunday afternoon.
A tree fell on Saxon Woods Road at 9 pm Sunday and the highway department removed it.
Downed wires were reported at a Brookby Road home at 6:30 am Monday morning.
Commenting on the storm, Village Manager Rob Cole said, "I would like to express deep appreciation for our emergency operating team, including our Police, Public Works, and Fire Departments, as well as SVAC for their well-executed advance storm preparations and many hours spent monitoring the storm and local conditions. It should also be noted that the Westchester County Emergency Operating Center provided excellent municipal support as we all awaited Henri’s arrival. ConEd should also be recognized for their high level of advance preparation, as well, reflecting lessons learned from prior storm events that have not gone well.
While the storm was not entirely without incident, those conditions that did arise were promptly responded to.
Because of the training, dedication, and professionalism of our staff, the Scarsdale community is in good hands when confronted with the possibility of severe weather and other hazards.
Finally, please note that because of lingering rain, residents are encouraged to be aware of the continuing potential for flood conditions, including avoiding driving through flood waters, increasing stopping distances, and watching for pooled water on roadways."
One of the lots at SHS was flooded.
High School athletes were out in the rain on Monday morning.
Hurricane Ida Wallops Scarsdale: 1,100 Without Power, Schools Closed
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(Updated at 1:40 pm 9-2) We braced for Hurricane Henri but we were walloped by Ida.
After Hurricane Henri failed to pack a punch ten days ago, many ignored the forecast for Ida, which proved to have a far more powerful impact on the Northeast. The massive storm brought record rainfall dropping over 3 inches of water in Central Park in just one hour.
The rains flooded all major Scarsdale roads, leaving the Bronx River Parkway, the Hutchinson River Parkway and sections of the Post Road impassable. At 10:48 pm, on September 1, the Village of Scarsdale warned residents to stay home.
Their email said, “The Village of Scarsdale is presently experiencing widespread flooding. Please refrain from travel until the flooded roadways clear -- vehicles are becoming stranded and it is not safe to be out driving -- stay inside.
If you experience water in your basement, please be cognizant of a potential electric hazard and seek professional assistance in the morning. The Fire Department is not assisting with basement flooding until after the storm has passed.
Please contact 911 with any life-threatening emergency and defer lesser needs until after the storm has passed.
Thank you and PLEASE stay indoors and off our local roadways for your own safety.”
We later learned that several drivers had to be rescued from their cars during the night.
The flooding also closed another Scarsdale artery, Metro North Railroad, leaving thousands stranded throughout the area. As of 8:00 am on September 2 service had not resumed.
Hartsdale Train Station at 5:45 am: Photo Credit Diane GurdenWater and wind has left 1,100 without power in Scarsdale, and Con Edison is still assessing the damage. The outage map shows outages in Edgewood, Fox Meadow and Heathcote. In addition, flooding at a Verizon facility has caused a widespread service interruption.
At 5:41 am on September 2, Village Manager Rob Cole reported, “The flood waters continue to recede from our roadways, though there may remain problem areas throughout the morning. Residents are encouraged to minimize local travel and to avoid all flooded roadways – several persons were rescued during the overnight hours after having driving into flood waters.”
An email from School Superintendent Thomas Hagerman at 6 am on September 2 delivered the sad news that all seven schools have experienced flooding and are c
Citifield Parking Lot:11:15 pm September 2. Many found their cars submerged in water.losed, for what would have been just the second day of school. Crews are working to repair the damage and the district hopes to reopen on Friday September 3, 2021. He asked parents to keep children inside away from downed power lines and flooding.
Residents are reporting flooded basements, knee deep in water, with no way to clear it.
In other news, hundreds were stranded at the US Open in Flushing Meadows. Though the matches continued in Arthur Ashe until 2 am, areas outside and even inside the stadium were flooded. The LIRR and subway service were suspended. The Grand Central Parkway and BQE were flooded and those who drove found their cars submerged in water. There are reports that some slept over at Arthur Ashe Stadium as they had no options to get home.
As of 8:30 am, the sun was out but the Bronx River Parkway looked more like a river than a road.
At 1:35 pm we received the following update from Village Manager Robert Cole on the state of affairs in Scarsdale: "I am amidst trying to get the latest ConEd info. The online outage map lists the best available outage updates. Right now, it still reports over 1,100 outages."
"There is a cut and clear crew in the Village and they have three more locations to clear. In addition, they have repair assessment personnel circulating. No estimated restoration times yet and no restoration crews in the Village yet, as far as we are aware; cut and clear is a necessary prerequisite in many cases."
"The Verizon outage appears widespread. One of their facilities was flooded and they are working to repair the damage, as wea have been advised."
Flooding at SHS by Susan DouglassThe roads still inundated include Brookby, Rugby, and Greendale – they are impassable due to flood waters. Areas blocked by downed wire and/or trees include Paddington/Ogden, Madison/Carmen and the Heathcote Bypass.
Have pictures? Please email them to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Bronx River Parkway: 8:30 am September 2
Backyard Acting Camp, Based on "Hamilton"
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A dozen aspiring thespians participated in a backyard camp this summer, focused on the popular Broadway play, Hamilton. In search of a summer activity based on music and dance, three Edgewood parents of rising sixth graders reached out to a local theater company to organize a one-week backyard camp for twelve students.
“Backyard Hamilton Camp ran for a week from 9:30 – 3 pm in two Scarsdale backyards with breaks for lunch and snacks.
There are two instructors, equipped with only a keyboard led the kids in theater games, choreography exercises, small group performances and solo numbers. The kids even met a special guest on Zoom who was involved in the early development of Hamilton at the Public Theatre. The program concluded with a showcase.
According to students Avery Bower and Helen Gimbel the best part of camp was that they got to learn some “really hard, but fun choreography.” They also loved the theatre games the group plays, and competing as Team Peggy, Team Eliza and Team Angelica. Adena Zitrin added that the daily “Hamilton in Ten Minutes” was one of her favorite parts of the day. Each day they were given a different role to play. “Learning how to stage fight was an unexpected surprise,” said Jake Carter. All the girls chimed in how fun that was too!
For more information, contact Debra Asher at debraasher@yahoo.com.
