Artist’s rendering of suggested Franklin Field pool shows it taking up 12.5% of area
To the editor:
The town pool proposal made last fall to the Pelham Board of Education was turned down by the board and town on the assumption that such a pool complex would take up half of Franklin Field, which space could not be spared.
The present proposal (see images provided by author) shows that the pool complex would take up only about 12.5% of the field. The pool and staff would be paid for by users, as is done in other small municipalities in Westchester and typical of programs offered by our town recreation department.
Michael Treanor
622 Pelhamdale Ave.
Kristin Bidwell • Jul 7, 2022 at 8:03 pm
It’s unfair to say most people have memberships to clubs because that simply isn’t true. It shouldn’t have bearing on the discussion because this would be a public facility.
A pool would benefit the community for sure. It may even encourage more robust swim teams, but to be clear a much larger facility would be needed to do that. Maintaining and making decent revenue (or even the investment back) on a pool is no small feat. It makes keeping a turf field look like child’s play
To do that you’d need room for spectators and a decent deck size. That’s not feasible with that plan.
Pelham is land poor, but thankfully there are lots of pools around community (like the Y) and other that people can take advantage of.
It pains me to say it but not what I think is smart. (Not very ecologically friendly either). Lots of other things we can do to improve our town (infrastructure anyone?). (And yes I had swimmers….would have been super convenient).
Ferdidand Spucci • Jun 13, 2022 at 9:48 pm
There are plenty of places to swim. The town doesn’t need another albatross which will suck up more taxpayer money.
Maryanne Joyce • Jun 13, 2022 at 8:41 pm
I just came across this article today about the Scarsdale pool complex. https://scarsdale10583.com/section-table/119-arts-and-entertainment/9641-residents-weigh-in-on-what-they-would-like-to-see-at-the-scarsdale-pool-complex .
It would be wonderful if Pelham had a community pool. It would be great for all ages, from toddlers to seniors. And Pelham Rec wouldn’t have to put the kids on buses to go all the way up to Saxon Woods!
Jessica Solomon • Jun 13, 2022 at 7:34 pm
For reference, this plan’s entire surface area (pools, bathhouses and entrance) is half the size of just the wave pool alone at Willson’s waves, which is 235’x135’. I am unclear how a very tiny pool in the corner of a field used heavily ten months out of the year for middle school students, Rec soccer, and Colonial students’ lunch (and camps in the summer) is supposed to be A: useful to residents in town, many of whom have memberships to country clubs and private pools; and B: profitable if it can only accommodate a small number of residents at one time.
A 30’ wading pool might seem big but your standard backyard trampoline is 10-12’ – and about 6 kids can fit safely on one. It’s all about perspective – and to make this a truly useful space, you would indeed need at least 50% of Franklin Field…at the expense of many students in the district.
Margot Lovell • Jun 13, 2022 at 6:24 pm
What a great plan for Pelham.
Solange Hansen • Jun 13, 2022 at 6:07 pm
Oh wow, what a great addition a community pool would be!