Facility, Furniture and Landscaping Improvements Coming to Waveny Pool This Summer

Waveny Pool in the 2017 season will see facility upgrades, new furniture, improved landscaping and schedule adjustments designed to meet the wishes of permit-holders who go there through the summer months, officials said.

Town officials are addressing concerns about muggy locker rooms and privacy in bathrooms, and the fees generated by the sale of permits also are funding the purchase of new umbrellas and chairs, according to Sally Campbell, chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission.

A committee that helps oversee Waveny Pool has met five times since last season and “we have made extensive list and I think we have made huge progress and it’s just going to be great,” Campbell said during the group’s regular meeting, held March 8 at Lapham Community Center.

“The big complaints were that the bathroom doors didn’t close, it was too muggy in the locker room and they felt it should be cleaned more. And Steve [Benko] was able to address all of those, and so I think this year people are going to be able to have a much better experience. He is working on the ventilation, and we are looking at maybe fans. He has already put deodorizer in there, which helps a lot.”

The committee includes commissioners Jason Milligan and Doug Richardson, as well as Recreation Director Steve Benko, Assistant Recreation Director Bill Kapp, Recreation Program Manager Steve Dayton and Recreation Office Manager Bea Watkins.

Officials now are getting prices on some new landscaping along a hillside between the parking lot and kiddie pool, Campbell said.

“That will make a big improvement,” she said.

According to Campbell, Dayton will serve this coming season as an on-site “pool manager.”

The commission in February proposed a new slate of permit fees for Waveny Pool, and those rates were approved by the Board of Selectmen.

This summer, the committee decided to extend lap swimming hours, Campbell said, and Waveny Pool again will partner with the New Canaan YMCA.

“The Y used the pool in September and the New Canaan High School girsl’ swim team swam and really liked it, so we will keep it open into September to allow lap swimming and water aerobics and for the swim teams,” Campbell said. “Not for general swimming but just for them.”

The pool generally opens Memorial Day weekend and closes after Labor Day.