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North Castle Town Board OK's Takeover Of ALE Pool's Operations

ARMONK, N.Y. -- North Castle's Town Board unanimously approved a deal for the town to take over operation of the Anita Louise Ehrman Recreation Center's pool in Armonk, a major shift in how the institution will be run.

The ALE pool in Armonk

The ALE pool in Armonk

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
The ALE pool in Armonk

The ALE pool in Armonk

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Under the deal, which was approved Wednesday night, North Castle will license the pool from the center - it is known by the initials of "ALE" - from April 1 through Oct. 31. The town then has the option to renew its license for up to four years, which would take it to Oct. 31, 2019.

The approved deal also gives North Castle the option to purchase the pool in the future.

The ALE pool, located north of downtown Armonk, has served as the facility for the town's summer day camp. 

The ALE organization gave up management of its pool in 2012 due to financial trouble following an expensive 2006 renovation, handing it over to North Castle Pool & Tennis, Daily Voice previously reported. That entity is no longer involved and the town will fill the void that it left.

North Castle officials touted the deal because it will allow for the town to operate the pool for a short time and make an evaluation. 

Supervisor Michael Schiliro also acknowledged the advisory role from the town's Budget and Finance Advisory Committee. Two of its members, Larry Ruisi and Alex Greene, were at the meeting.

Income paid to ALE will to go servicing its mortgage that is held by KeyBank, Ruisi said.

The other scenarios would have meant a purchase or a long-term lease, officials said. The latter scenario, in particular, would have been more costly than a short-term deal, officials noted, although it was mentioned the upfront costs under the agreement will be higher.

It was disclosed the projected net loss will be about $93,000, although that figure is in addition to the amount that the town was previously paying to use the pool for town camp, which was roughly $55,000. The latter was rolled into the equation, with the loss being an incremental cost.

The total cost of expenses is projected to be about $306,000, according to Deputy Supervisor Stephen D'Angelo. 

Schiliro broke down parts of the projected costs, including roughly $160,000 for operations, about $30,000 for capital work and $116,000 in licensing to ALE.

Revenue projections come it at about $157,000, Schiliro noted, although he cautioned that the income figure is conservative.

Matt Trainor, the town's Superintendent of Recreation & Parks, factored in several revenue streams, it was noted. They include membership passes, swim lessons, events and aquatic aerobic. Schiliro touted Trainor's previous aquatics experience as a plus.

“We’re very capable hands,” Schiliro said about the town.

Trainor also mentioned potential pass rates, which will be in tiers for residents and non-residents and subject to board approval. An in-town individual could pay $200 for early registration and $300 for late. For resident families, the figures could be $450 to $500 for early registration and $550 to $600 for late. Non-resident families could pay about $950 for early registration and $1,200 for late.

 

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