GreenTree council narrows Wilson Pool design, approves slide and some amenities after hours of debate

GreenTree Borough Council on March 3 approved changes to the Wilson Pool design that remove a sun shelf lounge area to expand swimable space and add an extended slide runout, following multiple hours of community comment and committee debate.

The council’s parks and public‑facilities committee presented three final design renderings and a list of optional amenities. The committee said final construction costs will depend on contractor bids; the votes taken on March 3 were to finalize design choices so architects can complete bid‑ready drawings, not to award construction contracts.

Committee chair and council members described the votes as a last design step: removing the sun shelf was estimated to reduce construction cost by about $16,000 and increase main pool area; adding the slide runout was estimated to increase deck area and add roughly $120,000 to the deck work, and would increase pool surface to roughly 7,286 square feet if combined with the sun‑shelf removal. Architect estimates and budget impacts were described as preliminary and subject to bids.

During public comment, residents raised safety concerns about water features, slide runout placement, and how features could affect swim‑aerobics, lifeguard duties and children’s play. Resident Aldo Pilate urged caution about water features that could become obstacles to water aerobics and potential fall risks whether water features are on or off. Another resident, Dawn Paul, asked the borough to address speeding on Bridal Drive (public comment noted earlier in the meeting).

Council members debated tradeoffs between open swim area and family‑friendly features. Several council members and the committee noted the option to use savings from removing amenities to offset other costs (for example, the slide runout or a problematic service line), but emphasized any such reallocation would require subsequent budget decisions after bids are returned.

On motions to update the construction specifications and adopt individual amenities, the council made the following formal decisions (roll calls recorded in the meeting): the council approved the revised footprint removing the sun shelf (motion passed; Ray opposed), approved the additional square footage for the slide runout (motion passed; Ray opposed), approved the large open‑plan slide (motion passed; Ray opposed), approved competition starting blocks and lane lines for the swim team, approved a cantilever shade structure as an add‑alternate, and rejected several toys/features (for example, the large mushroom fountain and some large floating play features). The council also declined to advance some items where no second was offered (for example, an aqua zip line was offered but received no second).

Committee chair and multiple members reiterated that the votes do not commit the borough to construction spending — the council will review contractor bids and funding options before awarding a contract. Council members also noted ongoing work to ensure ADA access and to request an engineer review of final drawings before bidding. The borough manager confirmed the pool is still in the final design phase and that completed plans could be ready in April for public bidding.

The council instructed the architects to finalize drawings reflecting approved changes so the project can be bid. Council members asked staff to confirm engineering implications (including any additional engineering costs) and to include ADA ramping and other code items in the final bid package.

The meeting closed the pool discussion by reiterating that the votes were design choices only; no construction contract was awarded and funds have not been committed beyond design work already paid for.

The council also discussed grant opportunities and potential reallocation of funds depending on bid results, and asked staff to prepare follow‑up materials and to post final renderings once amendments are removed or incorporated.