Village reveals final design for new pool complex

MILLERTON — New renderings unveiled at a special Village Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, offered a first look at a nearly finalized redesign of the Eddie Collins Memorial Pool complex, including a modernized poolhouse and several new features planned for the pool itself. The presentation marked a significant step as the village moves closer to bidding and construction.

The updated poolhouse plans, presented by senior landscape architect Kevin Hasselwander of LaBella Associates, show the project has shifted away from an earlier red, rustic concept toward a cleaner, more modern building. The structure is intended to withstand heavy seasonal use and support year-round community programming. The project is expected to go out to bid in mid-March, with construction targeted to begin after Millerton’s 175th celebration in mid-July, village officials said.

The updated pool design includes several additions aimed at expanding the pool’s appeal for a wide range of ages, including a waterslide, diving board and water-play elements for children. Board members also discussed adding low-cost recreational features such as basketball hoops in the mid-depth areas of the pool.

The proposed layout includes a sloped, shallow entry area with young children and accessibility in mind, a mid-depth section and a deep end designed to accommodate a diving board, officials said.

The new poolhouse design features a community room intended to serve multiple purposes beyond the swim season, including potential off-season programming and use. The plans also include a kitchen area that can support concessions and special events with outside vendors – a revenue stream village officials hope will offset ongoing operational costs.

Locker rooms, showers, restrooms and offices are also part of the layout and will fully comply with accessibility standards.

LaBella’s designers emphasized an indoor-outdoor connection between the community room and the pool deck, with multiple doors intended to allow people to move easily between indoor and outdoor activities.

Mayor Jenn Najdek signed off on the final design concept, and the project is expected to go out to bid later this month.

Following the presentation, the village board also held a brief, unattended public hearing to advance a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for ongoing sidewalk improvements. Trustees discussed bundling the new request with last year’s smaller award into one larger, more “shovel-ready” project, with an estimated total cost of about $420,000 and a funding request of up to $200,000.

In other business, the Board kept open a public hearing on a proposed local law that would formally recognize a Village Tree Commission, with a finalized draft from the village attorney expected soon. Trustees voted to continue the hearing to the March 9 meeting, leaving the window open for public comment.