As the next step in the ongoing community input phase of the Parkwood Sports Complex pool and rink renovation project, the Great Neck Park District encourages all district residents to attend an open community meeting on Thursday, May 25 at 8 p.m. at the E.M. Baker Elementary School, 69 Baker Hill Rd. Project manager and landscape architect Spencer Levine, a Great Neck school district alumnus who calls Parkwood "an amazing asset to the community," will present the current plan proposals for residents' discussion and feedback.

Levine's firm, Manhattan-based Creative Design Associates (CDA), LLC, has worked with the Great Neck park district for four years. Following completion of the district's promenade at the Steppingstone property extension in fall 2003, CDA has focused on the Parkwood rink for the past 18 months and the Parkwood pool since March.

At the May 25 meeting, the board of commissioners will ask attendees for input on a pool proposal to retain the main pool, replace the smaller pools and add a range of amenities and features, as well as a rink proposal for long overdue new locker rooms and facility modernization. Infrastructure issues to be addressed include a review of existing conditions, structurally and mechanically; recreational needs of the skaters and swimmers, and the critical need for supplemental park district storage and maintenance space. In accordance with the district's ongoing goals for customer service and operational efficiency, plans will be discussed for consolidating administrative operations at a single location.

Park Board Chairman Bob Lincoln urges residents to attend the meeting because "we are still in the input phase. This is not the bond hearing. The plans we are presenting for discussion include changes made in direct response to opinions expressed by residents at the community meeting last fall and at the pool presentation and exhibits last summer. We cannot emphasize enough that our residents' continued participation in the planning process is essential to the park district's ability to be responsive to the community's needs and wishes."

Commissioner Segalowitz explained the board's prudent approach to renovating and reconfiguring the Parkwood Sports Complex. "We needed to undertake an in-depth analysis of the many interdependent and diverse activities that call Parkwood 'home' --- the rec center, hockey and hockey teams, figure skating, swimming and aquatics, concessions, concert performances and more.

"We also are examining and evaluating the condition, serviceability and life expectancy of the facility to accommodate these activities with respect to space, capacity and code compliance, as well as costs. In addition, our newly installed co-generation plant now allows us to extend the summer and winter schedules into fall and spring, respectively. We have therefore engaged qualified consultants to help the board and park users sort out the available options."

From his vantage point as liaison to the Parkwood rink advisory, Chairman Lincoln reported, "The rink is in fine shape. With the refrigeration equipment already upgraded through the park district's co-generation energy project, our in-house staff can likely perform some of the other needed enhancements. The rink roof will be replaced with one that can accept solar panels, as that technology becomes more economical."

From the start, the park district has approached the Parkwood renovation project with sensitivity to the importance of balancing the impact of capital costs on taxpayers with the needs and desires of residents. Chairman Lincoln notes that the renovation process was initiated by distributing a community needs assessment questionnaire to all park district residents, with results analysis performed by an independent survey firm. "Community meetings were then held to discuss options and, over the last year, the commissioners worked with our standing pool and rink advisory committees to review public comments, share engineering studies and gain their input as facility users."

Commissioner Tamarin summarized the multi-year review process: "It has taken several years of engineering and architectural studies, surveys, advisory committee meetings, staff meetings, facility impact studies and community meetings to finally reach a comprehensive proposal that serves the needs of all our resident-users. We are delighted to report that the consensus of the pool advisory and rink advisory committees was to endorse the proposals we will present on May 25."

She noted that the community has enjoyed the Parkwood pool for 43 years, and those years have taken their toll on the pool. "The park district has maintained an aggressive maintenance schedule for several years, including a 1991 renovation to extend pool life for 15 years." In 2003, concerns about the physical condition of the facility led the board to establish the pool advisory committee headed by Commissioner Tamarin and a rink advisory committee led by Commissioner Lincoln.

In 2004 the board hired aquatic specialists Councilman-Hunsacker Associates to conduct an audit of standards and conditions, prepare conceptual options for renovation or replacement of the facility and provide initial cost estimates and a business plan. After two community meetings, the board solicited input from the advisory committees.

In June 2005, additional options were offered for review and tests were conducted on the main drain and concrete. The following month, the board held an open meeting at Parkwood Pool to present proposed options and features for community input. By January 2006, the board hired the CDA firm to prepare a schematic plan for the rink with lockers, showers, elevator, lounge, bathrooms, lounge-rink passageway, and lockers and showers for hockey teams. In March, the board named CDA lead architect for the entire Parkwood Sports Complex renovation project, and for office space consolidation and maintenance facility improvements.

Commissioner Tamarin noted that an earlier board proposal to replace the large pool with an outdoor aquatic leisure pool "was not enthusiastically accepted by residents." More closely aligned with residents' wishes, the present Parkwood pool proposal focuses on repairing and adding a liner to the large pool; rebuilding the children's and intermediate pools; renovating decks, bathhouses and pool mechanicals; designating an adult leisure and bridge area; updating the facility to comply with accessibility and safety codes; accommodating the diverse needs of families, lane swimmers and teens; providing youth and teen recreation/community space; and allocating senior program space during daylight hours. The current rink plan extends skating and hockey team rink usage opportunities.

Project leader Spencer Levine was "thrilled" to be asked to provide master planning and schematic design possibilities for the Parkwood rink and pool facility. "After serving the Great Neck community as an irreplaceable asset for so many years, Parkwood is due for modernization without losing the character and sense of place the facility provides. Through the creative use and installation of modern materials, we hope to create an exciting and inviting location." In keeping with this sensitivity to the character of the complex, the design work also will focus on additional "greening," utilizing environmental design and technology.

The foremost project goals, detailed in the plans Mr. Levine will present at the May 25 meeting, include renovation of the pool and pool deck to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing aquatic facility; rehabilitation of existing pool locker rooms with updated toilet and shower facilities; enhanced aquatic recreation opportunities; incorporation of multi-use community space throughout the facility; renovation and modernization of the skate lounge with a structural connector link between rink and skate lounge to replace the tent; and construction of new hockey locker rooms that can be utilized as off-season multipurpose space.

Additional pool features under consideration include a "lazy river" channel with a water current suitable for kids' recreation, adult exercise, rehab and strength training; water slide with separate run-out; kiddy wading pool with zero-depth entry and play-friendly spray elements; new intermediate 2'11"-depth pool for teaching; new liner in the main pool; and new lighting to accommodate safe night swimming.

As for the outcome of the May 25 community meeting, Commissioner Tamarin stated, "If residents agree with our proposal, the next step is a Park District public hearing followed by a Town of North Hempstead bond hearing. If the town accepts our proposal, we will have the funds to proceed with the project. We are optimistic that most of the renovations will be completed without closing the Parkwood Complex or inconveniencing our pool and rink users."

Chairman Lincoln strongly urged every park district resident to "come to the meeting and let your voice be heard."