Norwood Holds First Meeting On Pool Renovation

NORWOOD, MA - The Norwood Recreation Department hosted the first in a series of community meetings on Monday to get feedback on the remodeling of two community pools: Hawes and Father Mac's.

Recreation Department Superintendent Travis Farley explained that over the past year, the department analyzed the usage and conditions of the facilities, which are aging. The Recreation Department at the Town Meeting in January received $80,000 in Community Preservation Act funding to complete a pool analysis, which was conducted by Kuth Ranieri Architects. A Pool Committee comprised of town officials from several boards has contributed to the process.

"The pools have seen a ton of use between the two of them," said Farley, noting there was an expected dip in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2019, there were 250 swim lesson participants, while this year there were 200 between the two.

At the Hawes, there are a few measures that need to be taken to make the facility ADA compliant. The gate needs to be repaired or replaced to gain easier entrance. For the pool itself, there needs to be either a ramp or a mechanical chair lift to allow accessibility for all users.

One resident pointed out that both would be needed to provide access for all children.

The biggest concern the architects found is that the pool is leaking about 10,000 gallons of water a day, which equals an inch every 24 hours.

Solutions include addressing the leaks at the fixtures or a full-scale replacement because the equipment is at the end of its useful life.

Another problem with the pool is that there is no shallow end to allow for beginning swimmers. A wading pool could be an option near the existing pool, as well as a new slash pad. The new design showed two entrances so that the splash pad and the pool could be accessed independently.

There will be input taken over the next few months, and the final design which incorporates the feedback will be presented at the next Town Meeting.

Residents brought up the expected new construction for the nearby Coakley Middle School that will be happening simultaneously and asked if an indoor pool had been considered for the Hawes site. One resident noted the indoor pool in Westwood can be rented, making it a revenue generator for the town.

"We did explore that option," Farley said. he noted that the cost would go up as well as the need for staffing. This summer it was a challenge to get summer life guards.

A path could be created from the school to the pool to allow students easier access.

There was also a discussion about rerouting traffic through the Savage Center to lessen neighborhood impact.

At Father Mac's, the concrete is beginning to break down. The bathhouse is not ADA complaint and is in disrepair, with paint chipping off and rotting wood.

Renovation was one idea, incorporating a shallower end for novice swimmers. Another concept that generated excitement was expanding the pool area with a new splash pad that could be converted into a skating area in the winter. The ultimate design would be an indoor facility with water slides.

"We all agree that some water element should be included at Father Mac's," Farley said.

Some people advocated for the renovation for the pool rather than a spray park, noting that the summer camp participant would flood the spray park area.

Construction is expected to take a couple of years and could be impacted at the Hawes by the middle school construction.

The next forum will be held in January in a hybrid format, Farley said.