North Bellmore Superintendent Arnold Goldstein recently addressed community member’s concerns regarding the future of the property that was formerly occupied by Jacob Gunther Elementary School.
“The Board has received plans for the pool to be installed for the summer camp,” Goldstein said at Tuesday’s North Bellmore Board of Education meeting. “The Board is currently reviewing those plans and making sure everything meets the terms of the lease.”
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Goldstein said that Wee Friends is not allowed to make any alterations or put in any permanent structures without the Board of Education’s approval.
The plan, Goldstein says, is for a “relatively small pool” measuring 50 x 23 to be installed on the south field. The pool would have a maximum depth of four feet, and there’s no slide or diving Board proposed. Also proposed is some shrubbery to help beautify the area, and Wee Friends also seeks to blacktop the area that is currently cemented. The current plan calls for an enrollment of approximately 50-60 students, but no more than 100, he said.
“The proposed location from the pool is as far as possible from surrounding backyards,” Goldstein added. “The Board, as well as Wee Friends, are very concerned about being good neighbors.”
The north field is not currently part of Wee Friends’ plans, and Goldstein said that it should be available for public use both during the weekdays and on weekends throughout the summer. If Wee Friends changes their mind about the north field, they must give the Board three months notice.
After originally renting just three rooms, Wee Friends is now renting 11,895 sq. ft. at a rate of $12 per sq. ft., he added.
“As you know, the community was very concerned about this building being empty,” Goldstein said. “We were pleased that Wee Friends has been a great tenant in Merrick and Wantagh, and they continue to serve as a resource to the community.”
Board President Joann DeLauter also said that, if the Board were to decide to not renew after Wee Friends’ 10-year lease comes to an end, Wee Friends would be responsible for returning the property to the way it was before they moved in at their own expense.
What do you think of Wee Friends’ proposal to include a pool and a summer camp at the site of the former Jacob Gunther Elementary School? Tell us in the comments section below.
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