If you’re not familiar with McCarren Pool, it was one of eleven pools opened by Robert Moses back in 1936. The Greenpoint, Brooklyn pool closed up shop in the mid-80s but it then opened up again in 2005 as a repurposed concert venue. The unonventional spot was much loved by Williamsburgers but as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC initiative, the pool is now being renovated into an aquatic recreational center that will be open for neighborhood residents throughout the year. The new rehabilitated pool, recreation center, snack shop and rooftop café, designed by Rogers Marvel Architects, is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification and uses salvaged materials such as old wood from the Coney Island boardwalk.
In addition to the massive, U-shaped swimming area, the McCarren Pool complex will feature amenities like a volleyball court, a beach and spray showers. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a basketball court, a weight room, a dance studio, a cardio room and a “multipurpose community space.” In the summer, the pool will be able to accomodate 1,500 swimmers and the city is hoping that in the winter, it can be transformed into a skating rink.
The pool will be opening today (June 28th) at 11am so head on over if you’re not stuck in the office!
