On Wednesday evening from 6-8pm at Blind Charlie’s Cafe, The Pound Ridge Partnership for Kids, a community service and leadership project of the Pound ridge Partnership, will host a forum where Pound Ridge kids and their families are invited to share their ideas about the pool house renovation project that is under way by the Town Board.
“We think its important to give kids a voice in what happens in their community,” says 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. When I was in camp we used to wear our suits to camp so that we didn’t have to use the changing rooms,” according to Ella Weinstein, age 9 and member of Pound Ridge Partnership for Kids. “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 shared, “The bathrooms are dirty and I don’t like using them. It’s uncomfortable to go in to that part of the pool house. 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 Councilman Dick Lyman have been invited as special guests.
According to James Best, the architect hired by the Town, “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.”
Councilman Dick Lyman expressed ,” I am concerned that people are reading far too much into what the Town Board is trying to accomplish in this very limited time window in addressing the many complaints registered regarding the condition of the pool house. Specifically those complaints focused on a desire for cleaner, brighter and better ventilated restroom/changing room facilities 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.”
“I encourage families to come out to this meeting and share your 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.” commented Ali Boak, Town Councilwoman and Co-Founder and Board member of the Pound Ridge Partnership.
All families and kids are welcome to attend the Speak Out! scheduled for 7pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The meeting will be hosted by Blind Charlie’s Café. Please RSVP to Liz Ades at lizades@me.com.
