Decision to close Peerless Pool criticized
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Peerless Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park will reportedly close Aug. 13 for the remainder of the season.
A state park representative responded Thursday afternoon via e-mail, saying the park plans to make an announcement next week to unveil a new project. The representative would not provide any details about the project, which apparently requires the pool to be closed.
The pool normally closes in the first week of September.
Louise Goldstein, of the Save the Victoria Pool Society, said she heard from a staff member that the park would close beginning Aug. 13 because of renovations to the bathrooms, locker rooms and snack bar.
“Whatever renovations they are doing. I don’t understand why they can’t just extend it out and not cut into a very short, wonderful summer up here,” said Goldstein. “When we initially got the Victoria pool re-done, we made an agreement that they wouldn’t do it during pool season and that if it took
several years, that’s fine. Just don’t close the pool during our precious summer.”
Goldstein has concerns about the impact the early closing could have at the Victoria Pool.
“There’s a huge capacity. We have [room for] 341 [swimmers] at the Victoria Pool. [There is room for] 1,200 [swimmers] at the Peerless Pool, plus it’s much cheaper there for families with kids. It’s going to be a big financial hardship on families,” said Goldstein. “There’s no zero depth [at the Victoria Pool]. There’s no water slide. It’s going to be ridiculous if we have weather like this. I just don’t believe they can’t find a way to do it 10 months a year for as many years as it takes off-season.”
Peerless Pool is located within Saratoga Spa State Park on East-West Rd.
Peerless Pool opens daily from 10 until 6 p.m. It costs $2 for adults, $1 for children ages 5-11 and seniors, with children younger than 5 allowed in for free.
“The Peerless Pool Complex consists of a main pool with a zero-depth entry, separate slide pool with a 19’ double slide and a children’s wading pool with a mushroom fountain. The slide pool has a minimum height requirement of 48” tall,” the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation says.
The pool opened this season June 24. The state parks website still has it listed as closing for the season on Sept. 4.
Late last August, a shortage of lifeguards caused the pool to briefly close, but it reopened in time for Labor Day weekend.
At the time, state officials said funds were being targeted to go toward renovating the Peerless Pool complex for 2017.