Byram Pool Replacement Project Details Are Unveiled

More than 40 years after it became a part of Greenwich's Parks and Recreation system, plans to redevelop and improve Byram Park and the town's only public swimming venue have been unveiled.

The department in partnership with the Junior League of Greenwich are seeking municipal improvement status from the Greenwich Board of Selectmen — a designation that will allow the project to move forward with the goal of funding the multi-million project in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The plans that include construction of a new main pool, a kiddy pool and splay play pad, as well as a new pool restroom and concession building, a filter building and park entrance building were detailed at the July 10 Selectmen's meeting by Alan Monelli, the town's superintendent of building construction and maintenance. The selectmen are scheduled to vote on whether to grant the municipal improvement status at its July 24 meeting.

The pool originally was designed as a 1,600- square foot residential pool as part of the former Rosenwald estate that was donated to the town in 1973. Its limited capacity of 40 people generally creates waiting lines and there aren't public restroom facilities at the pool house that meet ADA requirements.

According to Monelli, an underground leak in the pool continues to grow and is not repairable. The plan includes removing the existing pool, pool house, concession, ticket booth, locker buildings and beach restrooms. The new facilities and inner park entrance will be relocated closer to the parking lot which would be reconfigured to increase parking from 116 cars to 139 cars with an increase of handicapped accessible parking spaces.

The new pool would be 6,400 square feet with a maximum depth of 5 1/2 feet, with six 25-meter lap lanes, designated area for aerobic workout and swimming instruction and family swimming. The pool would accommodate 250 people. There would be a separate kiddy pool and splash play area.

It is proposed that a 3,160-square foot restroom and concession building be built that would include shower and changing areas, lifeguard and first aid rooms. There also would be a separate pool filter building to house all mechanical equipment as well as a new separate ticket and entry booth.

All of the structures will have to meet new FEMA flood regulations, Monelli said. 

The Junior League has donated a total of $40,000 towards the cost of architectural and engineering work and to present the plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approvals, and is ready to commit to a major fund-raising campaign to back the project construction, Junior League President Cathy Youngman told the selectmen.

The two-week period between the Municipal Improvement status application and the selectmen's decision is to allow for public comment on the project, said First Selectman Peter Tesei.