Committee seeks public feedback, ideas for Eddie Collins Park pool

MILLERTON —  The Eddie Collins Memorial Park Revitalization Committee will publicly present the plans for a new swimming pool in the pavilion of Millerton’s community park, 5991 N. Elm Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

In an interview, Stephen Waite, chairman and spokesperson for the committee, spoke about the history of the original pool, which was officially closed in 2016, and his hopes for a new swimming pool and pool house to be erected during phase two of the park’s redevelopment, which is currently estimated to cost $4.3 million including the pool and the bath house.

The park’s first swimming pool was installed in 1966 in the rear southwestern corner of the park. Over time, the high water table lifted and cracked the pool. Groundwater infiltration prevented the pool’s water from heating up even on hot summer days. Repairs were attempted but fewer and fewer people came to swim, and Millerton’s summer camp was moved to Rudd Pond in 2015.

A volunteer committee spearheaded by Waite and Jenn Najdek, now Millerton’s mayor and its former camp summer director, was created to envision a revitalized park with a new pool. A public survey done in late 2016 indicated strong community support for an improved park, which would include the swimming pool and improvements to the basketball courts, playground and sports fields.

Phase one of the park’s revitalization is entirely complete. This initial phase of the project was necessary before construction of the pool.  The amount raised was $2.2 million, half through grants and half through donations.

The improvements included extensive excavation, a new soccer field, repairs to the playground, new basketball courts, accessible walkways, the installation of dozens of shade trees, and parking. All money raised by the committee and its fundraising steering committee is directed to the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, which manages funds for regional nonprofits.

Thursday’s meeting will present plans for the swimming pool and pool house and encourage public comments. Waite emphasized that it is the village board that makes the final decisions.

The revitalization committee is there to assist with the process and help with fundraising. Waite is personally committed to “bringing something back to the community that was a centerpiece for nearly 50 years. I am one who advocates going after taxpayer dollars and bringing them back to help.”

The committee has already secured a $500,000 matching grant from New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation with other grants on the horizon. The committee is also at work building an endowment to assist with the operations of the pool and maintenance of the park. So far, it has raised $300,000 of its $1 million goal.

Waite is looking forward to hearing what people have to say at the meeting and strongly encourages the public to attend.

In an email to town and village residents, North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan, urged everyone to attend the session to express their views on what should be included.

“The Committee wants to hear from the community about what features and designs we would like to have considered for the pool,” Kennan wrote. “Do we want a wading area, do we want lap swimming, do we want deck chairs, do we want a food concession, etc.”