A pair of architects presented their visions on Tuesday for the future renovation of the Village of Great Neck Estates’ pool area.
Sandy Berger of SM Berger Architecture and Leonard Kurkowski of Leonard Kurkowski Architect PC both made presentations during the Great Neck Estates board of trustees meeting.
“Our goal initially was to talk about how we can update (the pool area), it’s old and dated,” Great Neck Estates Mayor David Fox said. “And what we can do for the community in a budget frame that makes sense and that we feel very comfortable with.”
No budget has been set for the project as of yet but both architects said their plans are expected to cost between $200,000 and $250,000 with completion in time for next summer.
If work begins by December or January it could be completed by April in time for the start of the summer season, Kurkowski said.
“Architects are usually asked about vision and what they see for certain areas,” Berger said. “My immediate response to that is whatever the budget is then that is my vision.”
The village’s pool structure was built in the late 1940’s and has had moderate improvements over the years.
“I took a look at the pool area. I play in the softball league so I’ve used the bathrooms for years,” Berger said. “We have a structure that needs retrofitting, that needs help.”
Both architects’ plans are still in the design stage and are subject to changes, but both consist of updating the interior room and the outside entrance way.
“The round things along the outside and the glass block really date the building,” Berger said. “It’s a simple thing to update and gives you the next 25 years of life.”
Kurkowski agreed with board members when he said the structure isn’t eye catching to the public.
“It lacks that aesthetic wow factor,” he said.
Berger said his firm is eager to work with the village on this project.
“We would be tremendously interested in doing the project and working in collaboration with the board,” he said. “This is a partnership.”
Residents voted for the installment of an Olympic sized pool in 1949 and the village has enjoyed much use out the venue over the past seven decades.
“It’s 70 years old,” Fox said of the poll. “It certainly served the village very well and if we can leave something for this village for the next 50 years, we did a good job.”
Fox said there is much room for improvement with the village’s pool facility.
“Since it’s something that’s been around since the ‘40s or ‘50s we want to have that wow factor for years to come,” Fox said. “And I think the residents deserve that.”
No decision has been made as to the firm or the design plan. The next Great Neck Estates Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Sept. 10.
