Public Meeting to be Held Regarding Rosemary Pool Study

The Needham Park and Recreation Commission is hosting a public meeting on the Rosemary Pool study Monday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.  

The Needham Park and Recreation Commission and the Permanent Public Building Committee have been working on this study of the pool and surrounding property to see how the area could be better. Weston & Sampson was hired to conduct this feasibility study and had staff members at the pool at various times over the summer speaking directly to some of the patrons, and observing how the pool functioned. They also issued a survey for residents to share their opinion.

This meeting will be held in Powers Hall on the second floor of Town Hall. Weston & Sampson will present the four major options they have studied and provide details of the project, including some initial cost estimates.

The purpose of the meeting is not to choose an option – but to begin the discussions on the options. People attending will have an opportunity to listen to the presentation, ask questions and make comments.

In July, the Park and Recreation Commission held a “blue sky” meeting as part of the study of the Pool.  Residents were invited to share their ideas and ask questions – to make sure that the study covered all the major concepts.  About 250 attended that meeting – plus many others sent in comments in writing. The comments from that meeting are located on the town website.

"The Community Center supports options which result in year round swimming in Needham," said Nancy Sterling, board member of the Community Center. "In order to get our supporters of all ages out on a school night in the middle of holiday season, we are offering a free cupcake from Treat to meeting attendees from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m."

For those who cannot attend, the Needham Channel will be filming the meeting and will show it numerous times on the local cable channel.

Once the report is in final form, it will also be posted on the website at www.needhamma.gov so people can read all the details and formulate questions/comments.