Upgrades to begin at Valley Stream pool

Renovations will soo begin on the men's and women's changing rooms at the Valley Stream pool, to be completed for the 2013 season.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

For the second straight offseason, Valley Stream’s pool complex will be undergoing major renovations. The pools closed for the summer after Labor Day, and work will begin to refurbish the two locker rooms.

The pool complex at Hendrickson Park was built in 1960 and the indoor changing rooms and bathrooms have never been renovated. There will be all new plumbing fixtures including toilets and sinks with automatic flushes and faucets. The showers will be completely redone with fixtures that automatically shut water off after time. There will also be new wall and floor tile.

Both the men’s and women’s changing facilities will be renovated. Additionally, the locker rooms and bathrooms will be completely handicap accessible. Entrances will be widened and handicapped stalls will be added to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mayor Ed Fare said he is hoping to add a family bathroom, as well. The location of that new bathroom has not yet been chosen but Fare said the village is considering several options.

A new hot water heating system will also be installed.

The work begins with asbestos abatement at the pool complex, which is expected to last about four weeks and cost about $50,000. The village will have about $330,000 remaining for the other renovations.

Last year, the village borrowed $750,000 as part of its annual capital budget for renovations to the pool complex. Part of the money has already been spent for a new roof, new building façade and awnings at the two entrances, work that was completed this past spring.

Fare said the old roof was leaking so much that a lot of space inside the building was unusable. Now that it’s fixed, the village has been able to use the space for offices and a staff lounge. “The new roof solved so many problems for us,” he said.

Next year, Fare said that residents will be able to get their pool passes at the complex, instead of at Village Hall or the Firemen’s Field clubhouse. “I want to have pool permits at the pool,” he said. “It just makes sense.”

Fare said that the latest round of work will continue through the spring and expects it to be completed in time for the opening of the pool season in June. Long term, Fare said he still hope to replace the diving pool, which is 52 years old, and add a regulation indoor pool.