County Swimming Destination Made Whole
By Dan Murphy
Far too often, the media of today likes to highlight to negative things that may be happening in our communities. And once a remedy is made, the good news is not featured like the bad news.
For several years we have been receiving complaints from Westchester residents about the Sprain Ridge Pool, which was closed for seven years before re-opening and then closing again in 2018. Last month, the pool opened for swimmers, with the large, lap pool still being worked on.
On Wednesday, County Executive George Latimer told all of Westchester that the competition pool opened as promised in July, before a self-imposed August deadline. This pool, located in Yonkers but used by county residents from Greenburgh, Mt. Vernon, Eastchester, and by families all over the county, is finally made whole.
This is the first time in at least eight years that the larger competition pool and the activity pool have both been fully open for the public’s use. Latimer invited kids from Young People’s Day Camp in Yonkers to be the first to jump into the competition pool.
“The grand opening of the Sprain Ridge competition pool brings a long, challenging chapter to a close,” said Latimer. “For far too long children and families were unable to enjoy these beautiful pools, and I am thrilled to invite residents from across the county to enjoy this safe, family-friendly facility this summer, and for many years to come.”
Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins added: “This is a fantastic day, and it is the culmination of a lot of people working really hard together. Because of the visionary leadership and the dedicated professionalism we have in County Executive George Latimer, the Parks Department and our Department of Public Works, with our partners on the Board of Legislators, that is what makes today great. I am looking forward to everyone jumping in the pool today.”
The competition pool, which can accommodate 500 swimmers, features eight 50-meter racing lanes across the length of the pool, and six 23-meter racing lanes across the width of the pool. A new feature is a zero-depth entry ramp that can be easily used by people in wheelchairs, in addition to a 4-foot recreational swim area.
In addition, two 1-meter-high diving boards will open in August. A larger grassy area has been installed for spreading a blanket to enjoy the sunshine, which offers a quieter seating choice further away from the pool. When the pool is back in full use as a competition pool, portable bleachers will be rolled out onto the pool deck for spectators.
“I know that many of my constituents, our children and our adults, value Sprain Ridge Pool,” said Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, who presented the New York State Assembly’s Agency of the Month Award to the Westchester County Parks Department. “Having the instability of the availability of the pool for a number of years was really detrimental to the well-being of our children. I am an educator, and when children have the opportunity to enjoy their summers, they go back to school ready to work hard and ready to learn. Today is a proud moment of city and local and state governments working together, because it is in everyone’s best interest to ensure that the quality of life for our children is the best it can be.”
County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky added: “After eight years of waiting, the Sprain Ridge Pool complex is finally complete. My thanks go out to County Executive Latimer and county DPW for their tenacity in making sure that the job got done and done right. I hope the people in my region of Westchester will try out the new facility and have a great time.”
County Legislator Chris Johnson said: “When we walked in to the complex today, we were greeted by the sounds of cheerful young people and their families enjoying this park, enjoying the water and enjoying their time here together. That is what happens when government works.”
At the start of the 2019 beach and pool season, Latimer unveiled extensive repairs to Sprain Ridge’s activity pool, an updated spray deck, a brand new on-site playground and a renovated bath house. A new playground replaced a 20-plus-year-old playground, located adjacent to the reserved picnic area.
The playground features a poured-in-place rubber safety surface that feels “bouncy’ under foot, instead of an old-fashioned wood-chip safety surface. A colorful slide and two separate jungle gyms for different age groups have also been added, for 2- to 5-year-olds, and 12-year-olds. The playground meets Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility codes, as well as consumer product safety codes.
The Sprain Ridge bathhouse has also been renovated with a new floor that features a slip-resistant surface, and a coating that will make it easier to keep clean.
