Rec Commissioners Debate Pool Snack Bar Expansion, Summer Programs

The current conditions, and possible renovation of the concession stand at Memorial Pool was debated by the Recreation Commission Monday night.

This concession stand is currently not up health or building codes.  As several members of the commission pointed out, a lot of work has been put into renovating the pool complex in the last few years.  This work would be the last piece in that puzzle. 

A contractor has taken a look at the concession stand and it has been decide what needs to be done and approximately how much it would cost.  The plan currently is to expand the counters by four feet.  The kitchen would be completely renovated with new plumbing, electrical, and fiberglass reinforced panels.  They plan to remove a slab that is adjacent to the concession stand. 

A new counter accessible to the parking lot is being planned for the concession stand. This would allow the concession stand to be used by the people playing on the fields without entering the pool complex.  The changes also include renovation of the area above the concession stand that is used for storage. 

The purpose of this renovation is to bring the building up to code and give it a new look in the process.  They are hoping to start work in the middle or end of September so that they can get some work done before the weather turns too cold.  They are currently estimating that this work would take five to six months.  This time estimate allows for some time that they will be forced to stop working due to poor weather. The new concession stand would be open for business during the 2011 summer season at the pool.

A final decision on the issue is coming in several weeks. The recreation department will be reviewing the permits needed for the construction, along with placing the project out to bid.

Mike Walsh of the Optimist Club of Westfield also came forward during the time for open discussion to talk about the haunted house.  Last year the Recreation Commission let the club use the Memorial Pool for this event, which was quite a success.  They are hoping to be able to organize this event again.  They had not run it in a while, and last year's event took quite a lot of time and effort to organize.  They are hoping to learn from last year and have the event be even better.  However, the concession stand construction may be a hindrance to their plans.  Conversations about this topic will continue as the commission decides about their construction.

Traci Kastner, the department's program coordinator briefed commissioners regarding recent events.  The 5k run was a big success, bringing in more participants that ever before.  A recent Night Place had to be cancelled because there were not enough adult chaperones.  She discussed with the commission the possibility of bring the department to Facebook.  She cited the Mountainside Recreation Department as already having made this step.  She feels that it would be a way to get the kids more involved and for them to be able to keep up with the upcoming events.  More research needs to be done into this topic before any action is taken.

The commission was also briefed on pool operations after the opening weekend. The fountain is finally up and running and pictures of it were passed around the table.  The pool is still waiting for a few small jobs to be finished.  The three meter diving board was taken down.  The Recreation Department is still awaiting the arrival of their new half meter diving board.  They are also waiting to install a new lightening detection system.