Last night’s pool meeting had a lot of new information, and we want to make sure everyone is aware of the current path of the project.
While three designs were presented, none featured any options for year-round swimming, and all designs were similar to one another.
From the community reaction last night, it seemed clear that while an outdoor pool is very needed in the summer, there is a strong demand to understand the opportunities of a footprint that can accommodate indoor, year-round swimming as well, whether from a bubble option or additional pool.
(In a recent FoA survey with 106 respondents, nearly 70% said that their top priority for the pool is the ability to add covered/indoor swim time during non-summer hours – while retaining the outdoor pool in the summer. 40% identified the second leading priority as having lanes that can accommodate both recreational and competitive swim at the same time. The third priority is a modernized bathhouse, according to 40% of the respondents.)
A reconfiguration of the field house and tennis courts could potentially allow for these changes without eating into field space.
The city councilors on the call last night urged residents to reach out to the mayor and their respective councilors, asking that the big picture be considered before next steps are taken.
Recording from last night’s meeting (Thursday Dec 2, 2021): https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/Ui6TR2zSaP1bOJmHIG164U1A-R1h9dVGkBQanryN-rrHwIVJJGreiQiCz_ROEs5uoBtaOfge0PI82VhG.tQE7W__LYSVRzyEI?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=Sn7cpMVIS_CBMJo_3QdP8Q.1638559491412.6a8b45a04f3c7af93063e8a6cb9f860b&_x_zm_rhtaid=50
Mayor’s email:rfuller@newtonma.gov
All City Council: citycouncil@newtonma.gov
To contact your individual city councilors:https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/67495/637522619580330000
Gath Pool is in Ward Two, Precinct One, which has the following Councilors:
Susan S. Albright E-mail: salbright@newtonma.gov
Tarik J. Lucas E-mail: tlucas@newtonma.gov
Emily Norton E-mail: enorton@newtonma.gov
Project email: gathpool@newtonma.gov
Project website: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/aquatics/gath-memorial-pool-renovation-project
Friends of Albemarle 