Valley Stream nixes new pool entrance

What was supposed to be a guaranteed project for the spring has now been scrapped, after bids for a new pool entrance came in well above the projected cost.

Village officials were planning to turn the unused outdoor men’s changing room, in the center of the Hendrickson Park pool complex building, into a new, handicapped-accessible entrance along with two new bathrooms. The architectural firm that drew up the plans estimated the project at $896,000. But when the village received bids for the project, one came in at about $1.3 million and the other two around $1.8 million.

The village board rejected the three bids at its March 5 work session. Now, they are moving on to the plan B.

The board did approve an emergency resolution to spend $142,750 to replace the roof of the building, which will be completed by More Contracting of Port Jefferson. According to Village Clerk Bob Barra, the roof is in bad condition and water is actually leaking into the electrical panels. “We’ve got to replace it,” he said. “It’s now a danger.”

Work on the new roof has already begun.

The proposed tent-like entrance to the pool complex is off the table, and the board will keep the entrance where it is, toward the west side of the building. On Monday night, the board approved spending $14,000 to install a new awnings over the main entrance and children’s pool entrance. The work will be done by Tower Sign and Awning of Astoria.

Additionally, the board will look to spend about $35,000 for a new façade on the building. Barra said they are exploring a stucco facing that would cover the white cinder block wall.

The village will also spend money for landscaping enhancements around the front of the building. Barra said most of these improvements, with the exception of the roof, can be done by village workers. “I think we’re going to do it faster and cheaper,” he said, “and it’s going to look good.”

The proposal for a new entrance also included two new bathrooms that would be handicapped accessible. Barra said that project is still being planned, but not until after the 2012 pool season. It is likely that two pre-fabricated bathrooms would be installed in the men’s outdoor changing room, he said.