Partnership to Hold Kids’ Forum on Pool House Renovation

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. – The Pound Ridge Partnership for Kids, a community service and leadership project of the Pound Ridge Partnership, will host a forum on Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., at Blind Charlie’s Cafe, where Pound Ridge kids and their families can share ideas about the pool house renovation project.  

“We think it’s important to give kids a voice in what happens in their community,” said Liz Ades, co-chair of the Pound Ridge Partnership for Kids.  “By organizing and participating in meetings such as these our children will learn that their opinions count.”

The pool house, a concrete block building with exposed wood rafters, is approximately 40 years old and consists of bathrooms, dressing rooms, kitchen, storage, lifeguard office and a common space for games.  While there have been repairs over the years, there clearly is the sentiment among residents that the pool house is in need of a major facelift.

“I haven’t been to the pool house in a long time because it’s dirty and gross,” said Ella Weinstein, 9, a member of Pound Ridge Partnership for Kids. “When I was in camp we used to wear our suits to camp so that we didn’t have to use the changing rooms. I think if they clean it up and use more color, kids will want to go in there.”

Jordan Daglio, a third grader at Pound Ridge Elementary School said the bathrooms at the pool house are dirty and she doesn’t like using them.

“It's uncomfortable to go into that part of the pool house,” she said. “I love coming to the pool and I hope the changes will make it better so that more of my friends will go to the pool when I do.”

James Best, a local architect and hired consultant on the pool house renovation project along with council member Dick Lyman have been invited to the forum as special guests.

“We expect to upgrade the plumbing with water saving devices, modernize the kitchen, paint the interior and re-stain the wood on the exterior of the building, upgrade the lighting and repair all cracked or deteriorated materials,” said James Best, the architect hired by the town to design the renovations.

Council member Dick Lyman said he was concerned that people are reading far too much into what the Town Board is trying to accomplish in a very limited time window in addressing the many complaints regarding the condition of the pool house. Specifically, those complaints focused on a desire for cleaner, brighter and better ventilated restrooms and changing rooms, along with an improved snack bar area capable of providing a more varied and healthful menu.

“In the long term it would ultimately rest upon the Recreation Commission to identify the community's needs going forward and present a plan and budget requests to the Town Board for consideration in furthering the Commission's goals,” Lyman said.

Town Board member Ali Boak, co-founder and board member of the Pound Ridge Partnership, said families are invited to come and share their thoughts about the pool house renovation project.  

“It will provide the town with important feedback and will be a great experience for your children to participate in a public meeting,” she said.

Those interested in attending can RSVP to Liz Ades at lizades@me.com.

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