In support of Franklin Field town pool suggested at school board meeting
To the editor:
I wholeheartedly endorse the proposal made Wednesday night to the board of education for a town swimming pool at Franklin Field to be paid for by user fees. The equity audit commissioned by the school board highlights the need for bringing the young people in all the elementary schools together before they reach middle school. The Princeton Plan, which would entail busing children all around town, is not suitable for Pelham or its taxpayers. People move to Pelham for the neighborhood schools. Bringing the children and their families together for at least the ten weeks of summer recess has the advantages of being a pleasant remedy, targeting the middle school location with ample parking, all while being a capital asset for the town with no burden on the taxpayers.
As I understand it, roughly half of Franklin Field would be needed for the town pool complex. It would be on school property available to the schools on school days and available to the town recreation department on non-school days. Financing of the pool would be through user fees, which is customary in other small towns in Westchester. In Dobbs Ferry, with approximately the same population as Pelham, its new pool is supported by user fees of about $440 for a family for a year and $85 for an individual for a year. Certainly, between the town recreation department and the school district, it can be arranged that everyone will be able to enjoy the pool, swimming lessons, swim teams, lifeguard training and employment as well as other social events suitable for a town pool area.
This proposal addresses the need identified in the equity audit and is a happy and practical solution for all. Let’s dive in!
Amy Rios
442 Second Ave.
Tim Guba • Oct 9, 2021 at 10:59 am
Given the outstanding success on the world, national and college level of our Varsity HS swimmers this makes sense. They don’t even have a home pool!
Janice Gelfand • Oct 8, 2021 at 8:11 am
Will time be available for retirees and those without schoolage children? How will the loss of playing fields be accommodated?
Iva Filipovic • Oct 8, 2021 at 1:15 am
That’s a great idea. I fully support it.
Mark Levine • Oct 8, 2021 at 3:52 pm
People really need to think this out. How would user fees pay for a pool that doesn’t even have plans drawn up? Probably by borrowing money. Do you really want the district to go into more debt. Perhaps user fees will cover operating expenses. Who knows? Will enough NYAC people leave that life to join a non exclusive town pool? And what about the loss of a field. And the cost of insurance for a pool. A lot more answers are needed before people jump on a band wagon.
Adam Ilkowitz • Oct 9, 2021 at 9:15 am
What about using Trestle Field on Pelhamdale next to the I95 and train bridge? Wouldn’t lose field space and could make use of an underutilized piece of land.
Toby Marxuach-Gusciora • Oct 7, 2021 at 9:53 pm
I almost did not move 26 years ago because there was no community pool. For about 20 years I belonged to Lake Isle in Eastchester, I left Lake Isle about 5 years ago and have been swimming a friend’s pools and condos. I believe a pool would be a valuable asset to the community. Since it would be in the recreation department purview both the Village of Pelham and Pelham Manor would have access.
Michele Sierak • Oct 7, 2021 at 8:39 pm
I think a pool would make sense where the town hall and town house are, for town use…