From the Daily News:A historic city pool that legendary planner Robert Moses considered a feather in his cap is in line for a multimillion-dollar restoration.
City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and the Parks Department recently began drafting a master plan to refurbish much of the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center, and explore year-round uses for the vaunted space.
"It's a very exciting opportunity and it's a wonderful facility, and we're very thrilled," said John Krawchuk, director of historic preservation for the Parks Department.
Officials are collecting community feedback on how to restore the center, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a diving pool that has not been used since 1980.
"Whatever happens at the diving pool location will be a huge improvement over the dilapidated eyesore that stands now," Vallone said.
The department and Vallone hosted a listening session at the Greater Astoria Historical Society on June 9 to gather suggestions from the public.
"One idea was to create some sort of outdoor amphitheater where we can provide entertainment at one of the most beautiful backdrops possible," Vallone said.
Other ideas included opening an ice-skating and hockey rink for the winter months, and building a bowling alley.
Restoring and reopening the diving pool is another possibility.
15 comments:
They have funds for that and yet many city pools will be closed this summer? That's hot!
Charge an admission fee and/or sell the naming rights.
sell the naming rights.
-----------------------------------------
Name the pool after me.
There is no "P" in Claire Shulman.
I know. It's in the pool!
"Restoring and reopening the diving pool is another possibility."
Diving is a niche poolside activity. I go to the FMCP pool 3x a week. Very, very, rarely do I see anyone using the diving boards in their diving pool (one of 3 pools). Most of the time the diving pool area stands empty while everyone else is crowded into the lap pool and the wading pools.
Astoria Pool is a great place to cool off for kids in the summer. However the locker rooms and shower areas were often violent and unprotected. Anyone who knows the pool area outside, better not leave a towel around because they are snitched quickly. Other than those issues, the pool is sensational and in a beautiful location next to the East River. I learned how to swim here by simply coming here frequently as a youngster. The diving pool was a rite of passage for any newly capable swimmer. The diving area was always underutilized and I guess they found there was too many issues with that pool and saftey.
I suggest they incorporate outdoor ice-skating / hockey - this makes perfect sense - it should be outdoors with a new smallish building for lockers, food and rental area to also keep warm in.
This pool should absolutely be landmarked before Mayor Bloomy wants to erect a condo village on the grounds of this facility!They should let Trump provide proposals to design new uses as he rebuilt the Wollman rink in Central Park that was so successful.
That pool many many years ago was a great place to hang and cool off. But now I would'nt even get out of my car near that pool. It is filled with low lives, illegals and gangs. I can't understand how the previous commenter could even say what a wonderful place it is... Maybe for mugging, harrasment or even death.
Why did they close the diving board in the first place?
The rumor was that some fat guy did a belly flop from too high and split his stomach open and died. But I'm only 23 so the story may be incorrect. If anyone knows, please correct me.
Why did they close the diving board in the first place?
The rumor was that some fat guy did a belly flop from too high and split his stomach open and died. But I'm only 23 so the story may be incorrect. If anyone knows, please correct me.
I think the insurance costs for the diving boards were too high. The number of injuries in their use and the lawsuits were just too much for the city to handle.
That pool many many years ago was a great place to hang and cool off. But now I would'nt even get out of my car near that pool. It is filled with low lives, illegals and gangs. I can't understand how the previous commenter could even say what a wonderful place it is... Maybe for mugging, harrasment or even death.
-----------------------------------
I went there a few times a week last summer and not once did I feel uncomfortable or that I was in any type of danger. You don't know what you're talking about.
Public pools are a luxury in rich countries. We are no longer one of those, sorry. Would you rather have health care and transport or a place to swim?
I can't understand how the previous commenter could even say what a wonderful place it is... Maybe for mugging, harrasment or even death.
I too recall yester-years and the same issues were around gangs and muggings. The projects in LIC/Astoria are thick with bad folks who gravitate towards Astoria Park dur hot weather. It's no different today, except now police are inside the pool patrolling and enforcing the law. So go find the good people there (Majority are good) who want a place to cool off and Astoria Pool is the best at it.
For all of you who are talking about how unsafe the pool is, sounds to me as if you like to get caught up in the rumor mill.When was the last time you've even been to the park? I have lived in Astoria all my life, often going to Astoria Park, including the pool and never once felt unsafe. I would never take my six year old somewhere unsafe. Sounds like you need to get a grip.
Post a Comment