The Floral Park Village Board held an informational meeting Wednesday night in an attempt to satisfy residential concerns regarding the proposed recreation/pool building, located on Stewart Street in the village. Village trustees heard mixed reviews concerning the project, with some residents concerned about the lack of a public referendum. The project, which has been in the works for approximately six years, will create a two-story, year-round building to replace the existing, deteriorating pool building and provide a place where both senior citizens and young people can recreate.

Since 1997, plans for Floral Park's recreation/pool facility project have evolved into a more modest, year-round facility that will meet the recreation and pool operational needs of village residents, according to Mayor Ann Corbett. The project will address much-needed renovation work at the pool while satisfying the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

If the project is approved, construction will begin next month, with every effort being made to expedite the completion of the first floor of the new building by the opening of the 2002 summer season. The remainder of the building is projected to be completed in the fall of 2002.

Village Trustee Kevin Greene, who's worked closely with the pool staff for the past four or five years, said, "Despite the fact that we put a lot of time and energy into setting up the pool annually, it's old and it needs work ... This new building would be more of a country club environment where it can offer more than just swimming and reading a book."

The pool first opened its doors on July 4, 1963, welcoming 3,000 swimmers that day alone. The 38-year-old facility has been maintained over the years but Greene said there comes a time when "you spend good money on projects that just aren't worth it sometimes ... You throw good dollar after good dollar away and it's a waste." Although a new infiltration system was installed earlier this year and the pool is scraped and re-painted each season, Greene said most of the wood around the building is rotting upstairs and the leaking roof is causing the wood around the replaced windows to rot as well.

So far this year, the project has been offered for public bid several times, the most recent being Aug. 8. Back in June, despite the fact the village had advertised for bids, very few came in and none were satisfactory. Specifications were again made available in July. Right now, the village board's main concern is increased costs of construction. If started on time, the project should be completed for the start of the 2002 pool season.

The proposed $3.2 million, 10,500 square foot building will house separate shower areas/locker rooms for men and women, along with a concession room, the existing chlorine room, a filter storage room and men's and women's bathrooms. Noting the footprint is similar to that of the current pool building, Village Trustee Thomas Tweedy said the proposed building will also house several meeting rooms, a babysitting office, recreation rooms, a kitchenette or warming kitchen and a sun deck.

The village would pay for the facility through a 20-year serial bond, according to Corbett. Approximately $1.91 million or 60 percent of the total cost would be allocated as the village's share and $1.27 million or 40 percent of the total cost would be allocated as the pool membership account share. These figures, according to Corbett, are based on seasonal and year-round usage, operations and maintenance of the facility. The pool operating budget eventually could see a three percent increase in pool membership but Corbett said members won't see an increase in fees for the next two or three years.

Adding usage of the new building to the present Recreation Department budget is projected to cost approximately $60,000 per year or approximately $10 per year for the average property owner. The projection includes two additional part-time employees and more indoor programs, some generating revenue to offset costs. Other increases, Corbett said, are related to security, utilities, fuel, water, supplies, maintenance and cleaning expenses.

Last week, residents received a village-wide mailing intended to provide background and up-to-date information about the project's status. Since the re-bid submissions were opened again early last month, the mayor met with administrative personnel, the recreation superintendent, the clerk/treasurer and financial advisors. The village board met with representatives from the engineering firm responsible for the building specifications and architectural drawings on Aug. 21. Corbett said this is the same firm the village has worked with since 1996 when original plans surfaced for a community center at the site.

Some residents seemed concerned with the 40/60 split while others wanted to know why a public referendum is not necessary. "We had a referendum back in 1997 for the proposed recreation center," one resident noted. "I just think a public vote would make residents more aware of this proposal. There's probably a lot of people out there who know nothing about this project or haven't seen the proposed layout of the building."

In response, another resident said, "Some of these residents probably don't vote in major elections. People don't know what's going on because they don't make it their business to find out what's going on."

Others welcome the new building, saying the recreation/pool facility would be a "great asset to the village" and a "necessity to improve the value of homes in Floral Park."

The board, aware of the importance of the financial aspects of this proposal, is working to finalize the cost of construction and forecast operating expenses. The board is responsible for weighing public sentiment, finances, pool building conditions and the community's recreational needs. Based on these factors, the board has until Oct. 1 to decide whether or not to proceed with the project.