[dropcap]S[/dropcap]upport for costly renovations to Rye Playland’s historic swimming pool may be running dry after a proposed capital project from Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s Republican administration looks to remove the site completely.
On Monday, June 20, a proposed $2.7 million bond act to remove and fill the park’s pool was sent to lawmakers by Astorino. The bond act was then referred to the committees on Budget and Appropriations, Labor, Parks, Planning and Housing and Infrastructure, where it will be reviewed by various members of the county Board of Legislators.
The murky future of the pool is the latest development at the county-owned amusement park, and comes after years of negotiations between the county and various private entities interested in taking over operations there.
In March, the management company Standard Amusements finalized a 30-year agreement with the county.
According to the terms of the agreement—which also committed the county to $32 million in capital projects—the county is required to make a decision on the pool’s fate by July 31 or Standard may contractually exit the agreement.
A Standard representative declined to answer whether or not the company would invoke that clause if the bond is stalled.
Additionally, if the bond fails to pass and Standard chooses to exit the agreement with the county, the management company would be fully refunded for its $1.5 million initial payment to the county.
If passed, the bond act would authorize Standard to repurpose the covered space formerly occupied by the pool however it sees fit.
According to Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, while legislators proposed a compromised option that would provide repairs to the pool and keep it running in the interim, Nicholas Singer, co-founder of Standard Amusements, has shown little interest in that option.
A spokesperson for Standard Amusements told the Review if the pool is filled—an outcome preferred by Standard—the new layout would include what the company envisions as an “open veranda” with light refreshments.
According to county Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, it’s too early to know exactly how the board will vote on the issue.
“At this point, we need more specific information on the exact current condition of the pool and what the repair costs would be before we make a properly considered judgment,” she said.
According to a 2003 report by the Westchester County parks department, the pool was hemorrhaging up to 35,000 gallons of water per day at one point, which has led to other peripheral structural damage and the need for costly repairs.
Former cost estimates for refurbishing the pool, according to projections, total approximately $8 million to $10 million.
On the local level, according to Rye City Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat, sentiments on the proposal are clear.
“I’ve been in touch with neighbors over there that are concerned with what’s going to happen,” she said.
According to Hurd, preliminary renderings from Standard showed what appeared to be a cafeteria or dining area; a proposal which she and other area residents are concerned may disturb the peace.
“The raucous bar environment would be way closer to Rye neighborhoods,” she said.
Although Hurd attempted to rally other members of the Rye City Council to draft a resolution that showed support for renovating the pool, she said tepid response from her colleagues derailed the initiative before it had a chance to come to fruition.
