Pool Complex Project

Project Summary

The Pool Complex Study is laying the planning groundwork for a construction project at the Scarsdale Pool Complex that is right-sized for our local needs and level of community support. Due to the recent trends in membership and expenses, the pool complex is now operating in a deficit position and the cost to repair the complex to bring it into compliance with current codes is significant, estimated to be in excess of $13M. Careful study, community engagement, and visioning are necessary to determine the future of the pool complex. The project goals and objectives highlighted below provide further insight into what we intend to achieve with the study.

On June 30, 2021, the Village distributed a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Market Study and Existing Conditions Assessment of the complex, with several proposals having been received. After thorough review of the consultant responses by the Pool Complex Special Assignment Working Group, comprised of Trustees and key Village staff, Lothrop Associates LLP Architects' proposal was selected and a contract was approved at the Village Board meeting held on September 28, 2021.

Project Goals

1. The Municipal Pool Complex is viewed by residents as a premier community recreation asset helping to further strengthen Scarsdale’s preeminence in Westchester County as a superb place to live and raise children.

2. The Pool Enterprise Fund is fiscally sound, capable of supporting operating and projected capital expenses.

3. Pool membership trend is reversed, ultimately attaining historic membership levels.

 Key Project Objectives

1. Develop a planning level estimate for baseline reconstruction of our Municipal Pool Complex in effectively its existing layout and design, taking into account any costs associated with updated regulatory compliance, e.g., ADA and Westchester County Department of Health. The purpose of this estimate is to understand existing needs and their magnitude of cost to remedy, as well as to support discussion of the incremental costs associated with each reconstruction scenario developed in the Market Study. The Existing Conditions Report has since been completed and the next section on this page provides a summary overview of the findings, as well as a link to the final report. Importantly, the level of investment necessary to bring the pool complex back into a good state of repair (and compliant with all current code requirements) is significant -- over $13M. As such, now is the time to consider whether any incremental investment is prudent to help secure the fiscal sustainability of the pool complex through increased memberships and other potential revenues, thereby enabling it to continue to be managed as a financially self-supporting enterprise fund.

2. Complete a Market Study, to examine the competitive landscape and identify associated strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the Scarsdale Pool Complex.  The Market Study has two primary segments, or phases. The first involves data collection and analysis of the competitive landscape, both locally and sub-regionally. The second involves substantial public outreach and engagement to collect Scarsdale resident viewpoints and perspectives, including willingness to pay for various amenities or services they view as desirable. Ultimately, the public engagement effort will culminate in creating of three financially feasible reconstruction scenarios. Consultant tasks to be completed in the public engagement phase include a statistically valid random survey distributed by mail, a public web-based survey, and public meetings. The timeline for important engagement touchstones will be published once available, with each opportunity well-advertised ahead of time to help promote robust community participation, which is important to the study's success.

Community Outreach

Over the last few months, the Village of Scarsdale has offered several mediums of engagement to gauge interest in potential pool renovations.

Surveys

This past spring the Village offered two surveys to the community; a statistically-valid mailed survey, and an online survey which closed on June 21st, 2022. 

We want to extend an enormous thank you to all those who participated in the surveys. In total we received:

• 690 statistically-valid mailed survey responses (over twice as many as expected)

• 1373 online survey responses

The Village received 2,063 survey responses total. It is estimated that over 90% of the respondents were pool permit holders, or had been in the past. 

Community Engagement Events

On June 03 and June 04, 2022, the Village held a series of public engagement events at the pool complex, which consisted of a quick summary of the pool study, promotion of the online survey, and a dot voting activity.

The dot voting activity provided participants with a set number of dot stickers, as well as a board of images, displaying potential pool complex revisions and amenities. Participants were invited to place stickers on the top four amenities they would like to see in a potential pool complex renovation plan. Many of the dots were placed by children, thereby providing an unfiltered medium for communicating their preferences. 

Also on June 03 and June 04, engagement sessions were conducted at the Scarsdale Music Festival held at Village Hall. This gave a wide variety of individuals the opportunity to learn about, and offer feedback on the pool complex project. 

Across these sessions, it is estimated that at least 80% of these engagements were with Scarsdale residents.

Key Findings

Based on both the survey responses, as well as the community engagement events, it is incredibly clear that the community loves the pool complex and believes it to be a vital asset. 

Results show that:

• 50% of respondents would desire an indoor or a combination indoor/outdoor facility
• About a third of respondents seek a renovated, updated outdoor facility
• A balance of respondents preferred an outdoor facility with significant enhancements
  • This segment’s preference grew in prominence during the in-person sessions with many newer residents, with young children favoring enhancements

Currently, existing components that were favored by respondents were:

• Concessions
• Designated wading pool
• Shady lawn areas
• Deep and shallow water designated areas

Additional components that were favored by respondents were:

• A Splash pad/spray pad
• A Water slide
• Zero depth and lazy river areas

Moving Forward

Ultimately, the Village will need to find an intersection of the community’s desires with the economics of the renovation. Development of this magnitude will require significant capital expense as well as funding for ongoing annual operations and maintenance. 

The next step is to get more granular so that the community can react to possibilities while simultaneously understanding the economic implications. The Village has directed its consultants to use the survey results to guide the creation of three renovation options, as well as the associated economics. It is anticipated that these plans will be presented to the community in the early fall.

Interview with Mayor Jane Veron

In this short video below, Scarsdale Mayor Jane Veron explains the crucial decisions we all face, as a community, regarding the Scarsdale Pool. What are our options? Hear her detail the situation, and explain the baseline requirements to bring the pool complex up to code.