WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

We currently have over 600 community members supporting this initiative via facebook and many more through the blog. Here is some of what they have been saying....

You're effort is greatly appreciated Linda! In order for there to be a community pool the "community" needs to show their support of it.

Everyone can benefit from a town pool, from babies to the elderly. And it doesn't have to be over-the-top either. Keep it simple, economical and self-sustaining like so many towns have done before us. "If you build it, they will come!"


The last pool actually up for a vote was over 14 years ago. That was a large, multi-pool facility. The Preserve, which has tons of families and no pool, did not yet exist. There are more families now in Heritage who feel kids are unwelcome in the Heritage pools. Many seniors did embrace the idea of a community center with an indoor pool that was almost put up to a vote in 2008. After so many years, it is worth revisiting if a large contingent feels strongly. Ya never know!

People will need to be told the facts, and see that it is beneficial to the whole community, not just those without a pool. I own a pool and I support the idea because I believe it will benefit a large portion of Somers residents. Happy residents make happy communities. Happy communities are good places to live. People want to live in communities with good amenities, and property values should increase. This isn't just about little kids. It's also about bored teens, or adults whose kids have left home but want somewhere to cool off and meet their friends. Seniors who don't live in HH will have somewhere else to go in the summer. I am certain that any increase in taxes, which will actually be small, will be offset by the positive benefit of providing a community pool, where people can meet friends, bring guests, and cool off in the summer.


DAY CAMP:

 Having a town pool would only enhance the Somers Day Camp experience and provide the cooling off and enjoyment that our children in this town need and deserve.

I am shocked at the people who call Parks & Rec (who have purchased homes in Somers and ask "where is the town pool"). I kid you not. I can guarantee about 250+ parents who send their kids to town camp who would be for a town pool.

 Many more people would be inclined to send there children to the town camp if we had a pool. Win/win

Not to mention more jobs for our teenagers!


SENSE OF COMMUNITY... SOMERITES SCATTER DURING THE SUMMER

I grew up in Bedford Hills and lived at the pool in the summers. When buying a house, we initially did not even look at Somers solely because of the lack of a pool. ...I hadn't really thought through the community loss of not having the great coming together spot of one common facility. As our kids grew we found the ponds did not fulfill our needs- ie lack of swimming lessons, diving board, clear water. I'm actually writing this post while sitting at the Lewisboro pool! Watching my daughter play together while surrounded by throngs of kids playing with their K-L schoolmates. ... as more towns have opened up to non residents, we Somersites have become more scattered in the summer. ... 

I have a pool but support this initiative. ... great for community interaction, particularly the children, who would probably prefer hanging out with friends at a community pool rather than with parents. I have great memories of summers growing up in my town where we all went to the community pool in the summers (everyday) and also learned to swim and had a swim team. 

 A nice pool at Reis would do wonders for our town

 I love being surrounded by friends and I think it would be a wonderful way for the kids to spend summers. My kids love our pool but it would be so great to always see familiar faces and make new friends (and have a swim team)

I own a pool too, which we built from scratch. It is very beneficial to me, my family and friends, but I favor a town pool 100% because it is better for the community. Better community equals happier people equals higher property values.

I'm so tired of paying so much money to Club Fit and other places for swim lessons. We go to Summer Trails for camp, but I would still join a town pool. So please know that even people with access to swim lessons and other camps with pools would still support a town pool. For me it's vital to a vibrant community.

I think it's sad that we are only one of the 2 towns in Westchester that doesn't have a pool. My kids are older now ... but I still will support any petition for a pool. It stinks that there is nowhere for our kids to get together for the summer.

We have a private pool in our backyard. My family will definitely welcome and use a community pool as well. (just like we currently use Lewisboro Pool to socialize with other Somers families!)

We live on a lake and are members, but would definitely join a pool in Somers to socialize with our friends.


LOST REVENUE

 I have a pool in my backyard, but my family would LOVE a community pool to spend time with their friends. (... me too! I like to socialize off the sports fields too!) I just went to the Lewisboro pool yesterday. It was a wonderful & relaxing day spent with a few Somers folks! It's just so silly to give other towns $$ when we'd rather spend it here.

I can't tell you how many families are paying top dollar to other towns to join the pool for the summer. It is beyond over due.

I would much rather give the $$$ I spend on joining Yorktown pools, towards Somers!

In addition to a place for our families to gather , if done correctly has potential to produce revenue for our town.


A PLACE FOR FAMILIES ... FROM ALL OF SOMERS COMMUNITIES

 I live in heritage ...they want our families out of pools. The rules are all against families. It is absolutely no fun at all. Families are spoken to about rules daily and arguments have been starting.

I have heard from another HH parent who feels that her kids are totally unwelcome in HH and that all the rules are against kids.

The last one as planned with an indoor pool only... was only estimated to raise the average taxpayers taxes by around $125 per year. I don't think that is over the top. But I'd be thrilled with a modest outdoor pool facility!


SWIM TEAM
A community pool brings so much to the entire Town of Somers! Even individuals who have private pools would benefit because it provides a gathering place for all the people with swimming lessons (children and adult), water aerobics, swim team, lifeguard instructions, etc. An outdoor pool that could be covered in the winter would be ideal so our Somers students could FINALLY have their own Swim Team in our own town!