Pool Negotiations Reach the Finish Line: $70.4mm Indoor-Outdoor Pool to Be Built in Scarsdale

At a specially scheduled work session on the future of the Scarsdale Pool on Tuesday December 16 the Board was expecting to confront a throng of residents. All Board members were present and Rutherford Hall was lined with enticing renderings of the proposed pool complex, with views of the natatorium, lake-like outdoor pool and splash pad. All hands were on deck, including the Capital Projects Manager Paul Zaicek, the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and a Pool Consultant from Hill International who will manage the construction process.

But the seats were empty. No one came. After years of surveys, analysis, research and debates, the public was silent.

The purpose of the work session was to review the feedback on the four options for the redevelopment of the Scarsdale Pool Complex, which has reached the end of its useful life. In response to their proposals, the Board had received live feedback at eight well attended public sessions and comments to a dedicated email account. This session was held to review community response.

Perhaps the public had said everything they wanted to say on the decision to select one of four options which were:

1) Do nothing and close the pool complex
2) Replace the existing complex as is and bring it to current code: $36 mm
3) Construct an enhanced outdoor only complex: $47.5 mm
4) Build an indoor/outdoor pool complex with community meeting rooms, 3 outdoor pools, locker rooms, recreational facilities and more: $70.4mm

Community Feedback

Assistant Village Manager Ruby Tower shared an analysis of the 236 comments received:

-43% of commenters provided support for the full indoor/outdoor project.
-40% of commenters did not indicate a preference for a particular plan, but posed various questions and suggestions regarding the pool complex project. The content of these comments included topics such as the operational plan, design elements, and financial impacts, amongst others.
-10% of commenters provided support for bringing the existing facility to code.
-5% of commenters provided support for the enhanced outdoor project.
-2% of commenters expressed that they are against the indoor/outdoor project, but did not identify a preferred project.
No one asked to allow the facility to deteriorate and repurpose the space.

See an analysis of the feedback and all 236comments here:

So where did this leave the Board, who has the power to make the decision with a simple majority vote? Unlike the Board of Education, the Village Board is not required to hold a public referendum for issuing bonds to finance projects. And taking on debt would indeed be required to fund a project that exceeded the entire annual budget of the Village.

Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee Letter

Before sharing their own views, the Board listened to a statement from Larry Medvinsky, who chaired the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee (PRAC). Medvinsky explained why the committee unanimously supported the indoor-outdoor pool option:

He said, “The PRAC views this project as important to current and future generations of Scarsdale residents, in much the same manner as the original pool complex has been for generations of Scarsdale families over the past 50+ years. The pool complex is a center of community engagement, a source of major recreational activity, an important integrator for new families into our community, an anchor that maintains and increases the property values of homes in Scarsdale and a crown jewel that continues to make Scarsdale unique among its neighboring communities.

The support to maintain a pool has been overwhelming and a clear majority of the community supports the indoor/outdoor pool complex. The public comments shared at the October 2025 community presentation as well as at each of the neighborhood association meetings and other community discussions have been overwhelmingly supportive of the project, as have public comments received via email over the past 6 weeks.

An updated and modern complex that includes an indoor pool, new community space, sports courts and playgrounds, a cafeteria, enhancements to current structures and year-round accessibility will greatly enhance the Scarsdale experience for all residents. It is the strong view of the PRAC that providing a year-round facility and programming for residents is a far better investment than a facility that only operates for 3 months of the year.

The PRAC has spent considerable time reviewing the proposed development and construction costs, as well as the year-round operational expenses. While we understand that a considerable burden will be placed on taxpayers, the PRAC believes that the many positive attributes of the complex justify the expenses. We believe a new indoor/outdoor pool complex will be of immense benefit for the community, that this investment is merited and that the return on investment for current residents and future generations of Scarsdale residents will more than be achieved.”

Trustees Views

Then each Trustee expressed their views on how they would vote on the largest initiative ever undertaken by the Village of Scarsdale.

Trustee David Goldschmidt, a relative newcomer to the Board, spoke eloquently, reviewing the options, the process and its impact on current and future residents of Scarsdale.

He opened with thanks to all the people who moved the process forward since 2021, including the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee, the Village Manager, the Superintendent of Public Works, the Recreation Department, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg and Jerry Wise who spearheaded the effort for the Board. He gave, “a special thanks to Trustee Gruenberg who pushed and spearheaded this effort." He called her a "great example of civic pride and volunteerism and an example for all of us.”

He continued, "The committee’s research was extensive and its report was comprehensive. I do not think any questions or comments submitted or raised at public forums surprised the mayor or the deputy mayor other than perhaps they did not know the dimensions of an official water polo field. But they quickly figured that one out. I am certain the committee will incorporate many of the comments and suggestions from the community as the plan moves forward."

He turned to the decision, saying the “pool is an integral part of scarsdale life that serves a wide range of residents from toddlers to seniors and should be cherished and improved to bring it to be a modern facility. And for that reason, alternative 1 of letting the pool run its course and build something else instead is not an option."

"In my opinion, Option 2 of bringing the existing pool up to code with renovation and replacement at a cost of $37m is not a sound financial decision for the residents of scarsdale. It merely kicks the real issue down the road again and this community will be confronted with a pool renovation project within 15 years. That is why i can not support that alternative either. We have been delaying making a decision on the pool project for too long and it is time we make a decision."

"That leaves options 3 and 4 – an outdoor only facility that can only be used during the summer months or an outdoor/indoor facility that could be used year round. They each have their own benefits and costs. In essence, do we spend approximately $23m more for a 12 month facility."

"I am comfortable the once this new indoor/outdoor facility is completed, scarsdale membership will increase and usage will be high. As a result, i believe the pool’s operating finances will be self sustaining and, that Mr. Mayor should be one of our objectives as we move forward."

"Yes, our taxes will increase to support the facilities construction but i think that in the early years it will be modest and will translate in making scarsdale an even more desirable neighborhood to live in."

He continued, “I have concerns about traffic and parking ... I do not need a study to tell me that the traffic in the half mile strip on Mamaroneck Road will increase substantially. There are several playing fields, the Kids Base school, Saxon Woods Golf Course, four entrances or exits to the Hutch and one of two roads that go through Scarsdale from Post Road to Mamaroneck or Larchmont to get to i95. We will need to address the increase of traffic along this corridor to make sure that residents are not too inconvenienced."

He concluded by casting his vote in favor of moving ahead with the outdoor and indoor option.

Trustee Kofman echoed Goldschmidt’s comments and added, “I support investing in the full complex. For an additional 35% investment, the Village gets a 350% increase in usage.”

Kofman thought the financials might be more favorable than shown in the plans. He said, “I think the current materials overstate the tax impact that residents will face. I think the impact will be materially lower.”

About membership levels he said, “In 2013 more than 2,000 memberships were sold, though last year only 1,100 memberships were sold. If we can get back half of those members the pool should be self-sustaining.”

Trustee Mazer said, “I am not much of a swimmer, so I based my thinking on what we heard from the community. From what we heard, the full-time facility is the preferred option. We heard from 250 residents – a small sample size of the community.”

“I am not sure we have reached out to all the unaffiliated residents who don’t pay attention to Village government. Have we communicated so that the vast majority of residents know what they options are?”

He wondered, “Are we going to be able to generate enough subscriptions to offset the expenses? The consultant’s estimates might not be bankable information. Are we going to generate enough membership fees to cover our operating expenses?”

However, despite his questions, he said, “Based on the feedback, I think the 12 month option is the way to go.”

Trustee Gans reflected, "Nine years ago, I stood at the dais and addressed the board about a proposed capital project that had plenty of support, but also vocal opposition. The question was, “Why are we spending so much money on a public library, when everyone can sit in their 5000 square foot mansions, read books on their kindle and get all of the information they’d ever need from their gigabit internet connection.” My answer then was, Scarsdale has a sense of community that is what brought most of us here in the first place. A library is a community institution, and if we say we no longer need those institutions, we lose an asset that holds our community together. And what was sometimes being lost in that discussion was that libraries had changed: Scarsdale was building a library for 2016 and the future, not rebuilding a 1950s-era library.

Turning to the pool: The Scarsdale pool is where many of our residents made their first memories as Scarsdale residents. They took their children there to meet people, learn to swim and take their first jump off the high dive. I bring this up, because we’ve received a lot of feedback questioning why the village would spend money on something like a year-round pool complex when not everyone will use it. The answer, of course, is because we are a community. The Village Board is responsible for making decisions in the betterment of the community as a whole, with the knowledge that some people may not utilize everything that we spend money on. So, as we did with the library, I think it makes sense to build a pool for the future. While many of us have cherished memories of the old pool, it has outlived its useful life, and it is time to build something new. Which is why I support the year-round option.

I do have a number of concerns, which I hope will be addressed moving forward. Primarily, my concerns relate to annual operating revenues and expenses. While I will not be on the Board when it comes time to vote on what to charge, if we were holding that vote today, I would be in favor of the assessment on each household as mentioned in the Ballard & King report. That way every resident could use the pool yearround, without considering the cost of an annual membership."

Trustee Wise, who participated in the development process said, “I am very much in favor of the pool. The work was above and beyond. I look at the major decisions I made in my life – getting married, buying a house and I was always able to make things work.

The pool will be helpful to the community. A diving pool is important. We should emphasize the playground for families. We can always make adjustments to make it work.

Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg said, “The beauty of the non-partisan system is that we are not supposed to come onto the board with an agenda. I had an opinion about the library before I came on the board, obviously, but no opinion about the pool. I was agnostic.”

I had an opinion about the library, but no opinion about the pool.”

“I am shocked that the community has shown overwhelming support – with comments and critiques. I am now in full support of the indoor-outdoor option because that seems to be what the community wants.”

“I think we should think about creating a separate diving pool which would allow for the outdoor leisure pool to have more leisure space and lap lanes.”

“I am shocked but thrilled that the community wants to invest in something that will benefit many generations moving forward. Should every resident be a member – should it be open to all residents? We will decide that later on. I want to thank the community for all your feedback and opinions.”

Mayor Justin Arest said, “This has been a long process.” He thanked his predecessors including Mayor Jane Veron along with former Trustee Ahuja and Trustee Brew.” He said, “I struggled with this ... To get to this point we needed to explore the indoor option. I am surprised by the enthusiasm and level of support for the indoor-outdoor option. I am not in favor of the $36 million option. About the $47.5 million option, I understand people’s nostalgia for the existing pool. The $70 million option is a lot of money – but it will offer the community an amenity that people will love.”

“We thought we accomplished the right balance of lap lanes, walking areas and diving. Is there a way to accommodate water polo too”

He finished by saying, “I support the $70 million project.”

The consultant from Hill International explained the timeline, saying, “There are six months of design coming up. (The pool will be open in the summer of 2026)… Shovels in the ground September 2026 through 2027 – the pool will be out of commission. We will look to reopen for the 2028 season.”

A Public Referendum?

Arest then addressed the question of a Village-wide referendum on the project. He said, “As Trustees it is our responsibility to make decisions. We can’t do a referendum on a project. But we can do a referendum on a bond initiative – it would be up to residents to do that. It would be a referendum on the bond authorization.”

Gans agreed, saying, "It is our job to make these decisions. That is why we are here. I am in favor without a referendum. Based 100% on community feedback.

Goldschmidt concurred, "I think it is our responsibility to move forward one way or another."

Trustee Wise noted that the Village was in a good position to take on more debt. He said, “The ratio of Scarsdale’s debt to the size of our budget is very low. We should be able to get a AAA rating and these bonds will fly off the shelf.”

Gruenberg agreed. She said, “It is not an easy decision. There has never been project of this magnitude. It is our responsibility to make this decision.”
With that, the Trustees agreed unanimously to move forward with the $70.4mm indoor-outdoor pool option, observed by a few people online and the Village staff in the audience.

The momentous decision was made after years of debate but the Board met little resistance from Scarsdale’s 17,000 residents. Were they informed? Do they have an opinion? Do they care? We will never know.

The next steps will be to accept a schematic design, move construction documents and bid out the work during the summer of 2026, a four-six week process.

Chatting with Trustees following the meeting, they mentioned that supplemental revenue streams would be available to fund the pool if membership fees were insufficient. Residents of neighboring towns are eager to join the pool and were permitted a limited number of memberships in the past few years. There is a shortage of venues for swim teams to hold practices and competitions and they have already expressed an interest in renting the facility when it is available.

Another factor that contributed to the trustees approval was the enthusiasm of empty nesters who own 50% of the homes in Scarsdale. This is one of the first initiatives to benefit older residents who no longer utilize the Scarsdale Schools, that represents the majority of their local tax burden. The promise of year-round swimming and pleasant meeting rooms won their support.

Though the construction estimates are large, so is the opportunity to house a first class indoor-outdoor pool in Scarsdale. The ultimate decision was made in a very quiet room, but the impact will be loudly felt in Scarsdale for generations to come.

See the entire pool presentation here.