York Town News
Governor Baldacci praises pool plan; skating arena talks continue
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - In their effort to bring a swimming facility to the town's Bog Road land, Ann Grinnell and Kathryn Strand of the Swim Center of Southern Maine have received a vote of confidence from Gov. John Baldacci.Following on the heels of the Board of Selectmen's vote to begin a wetland study on the property, Grinnell and Strand received word that they have a fan of their project in Augusta.
"A facility such as the one you have outlined would be a valuable addition to any community as it provides a special place to enjoy water recreation all year round for generations of children and families," Baldacci wrote in support of the SCSM plan. "I applaud you for your commitment to your community, and your advocacy of healthier lifestyles through aquatic activities. Your enthusiasm and hard work will make this project a huge success."
The pool project was approved to move forward as a public-private venture between SCSM and the town back in May. At that time, the voters overwhelmingly supported requests to allow the selectmen to negotiate with Grinnell and Strand on the swim center project and with the MacLaughlin Management Group and a local volunteer committee to bring a skating complex to portions of the town's land on Bog Road. The projects, if ultimately approved, will be located on parcels in proximity to the current athletic fields on Bog Road.
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Sullivan confirmed last week that while the pool plan continues to move forward with fundraising and site review efforts, discussions on the skating facility have been ongoing. The town has few details at this time, he said, as those involved in the proposal of the skating facility project have not brought forward specific plans to the town.
Once the town has specific information, Sullivan said, it will be made available to the public.
The pool project, meanwhile, has changed its initial approach, which depended on a certain number of founding members to move forward. A new plan announced recently downsizes the facility to reduce the costs while providing for the key amenities of time for lessons and public swimming. And, as Grinnell and Strand pointed out, the SCSM will be the only competition-size pool in southern Maine.
The town will lease the land to SCSM at no cost while SCSM will fund the construction and operation of the facility.
If the skating proposal comes forward, it will follow the same model.
The swim center will be open to residents from York and surrounding towns," Grinnell and Strand noted in their most recent update of the project, "and will provide year-round lessons with LAPSS Swimming School, family swimming, water-based exercise classes (and) pool time for physical and occupational therapists to work with their clients."
The Swim Center of Southern Maine, in conjunction with York Parks and Recreation, will be on hand this weekend during Harvestfest with information about the project.
