One option that the New Canaan YMCA is exploring for its high-performing swimmers next winter (that’s 2015-16)—as a widely anticipated expansion project gets underway and the facility’s pools are not usable—is having the team work out of the nearby outdoor pool at Waveny, town parks officials say.
Temporarily “bubbling” and otherwise cold weather-proofing the Waveny Pool during its usual offseason is something the Y is starting to look into, Park & Recreation Commission Chair Sally Campbell said at the group’s most recent meeting.
Waveny Pool, March 2014. Credit: Michael Dinan
“They’re good citizens of the town, they serve a lot of people in the town and I think we owe it to them [to hear them out],” Campbell said the July 9 meeting, held in the Douglas Room at Lapham Community Center.
Asked about the idea, YMCA Vice President of Financial Development, Marketing, and Strategic Initiatives Kristina Barrett said in an email: “Yes, we are exploring options for where swimmers, including the high school team, will go during construction. We are taking every effort to minimize any inconvenience to our members and would be happy to work with Parks & Rec to explore any solutions they might have.”
Poolside view of the Waveny Pool on a sunny Tuesday in July 2014. Credit: Alex Hutchins
Town planning officials in April approved the Y’s expansion plans (on 33 conditions). Neighbors of the Y have pushed for construction vehicles accessing the facility to use a route directly off of South Avenue, along that narrow strip of land by the Saxe Middle School fields. It’s school property—rather than grant access, the Board of Education has voiced support for the Y’s proposed route along Putnam Road.
In part, the Y’s plans call for an expansion of its parking and extension of its swimming pools. The main pool is awkward in its length, longer than what’s used in the USA Swimming winter season (25 yards) but well shy of a 50-meter Olympic and summer competition size. The pool at Waveny is 25 yards across.
It isn’t clear what would be needed to create a winter-friendly pool at Waveny. Most obviously, it would need a roof and temperature control for the water. Campbell said the Y may come present to the board as soon as September.
At that time, Campbell said, the Y must be prepared to address any concerns from the town.
Commissioner Andrea Peterson asked why the Y, a private nonprofit organization, is approaching the town rather than fellow YMCA.
“When they go through their annual maintenance shutdown, the default is that you go to other YMCAs in the area, so you work out a deal with Wilton or Darien,” she said. “It’s a private organization so it seems to me that going to the town is an odd.”
In response, Commissioner Jason Milligan noted that the New Canaan High School swim team uses a pool at the Y.
Milligan also asked whether an agreement could be reached where the Y donated to the Waveny Pool Fund.
Commissioners stressed that the talks are very preliminary. Asked who would give final approval for an agreement, Recreation Director Steve Benko said the Town Council would need to approve a lease.