image description — A newly-formed group intends to purchase the Sand Springs Pool, which was closed in 2008.

Williamstown Group To Purchase Sand Springs Pool

Staff Reports01:43PM / Tuesday, April 03, 2012Print Story | Email Story

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A group of residents teamed up to form a nonprofit organization and will purchase the Sand Springs Pool.

The newly-formed Sand Springs Recreational Center entered an option agreement last week with Redstone Properties to purchase the pool and is now embarking on a capital campaign. They intend to use the pool as a "community gathering place" with an expanded cafe and a learn-to-swim program when they reopen in June 2013.

"We are delighted to have reached agreement with Redstone Properties on an option to purchase this wonderful facility. We greatly appreciate Redstone's willingness to work with us in preserving this historic place and ensuring its continued presence in our town," the group's President Janette Dudley said in a press release. "With its beautiful pool, hot tub, fitness center and other amenities, we hope that the new Sand Springs once again becomes a place where wonderful summer memories are made."

The pool has been closed since 2008. Last year an employee asked the town to help purchase it with Community Preservation Act funds but was denied. Earlier this year, the committee that makes up the nonprofit again kicked around the idea of asking the Community Preservation Act Committee for funds but later decided not to file an application; opting to instead do it on their own. The price is listed at $599,000.

The group hopes to keep membership fees at a minimum and plans to offer scholarships for the swim program to local children, according to Dudley.

The swim program is named after former Williams College swimming coach Carl Samuelson and his wife Nancy. The program will offer group, semi-private and private lessons to children and adults, according to Dudley. Carl Samuelson and former Olympic swimmer Samantha Livingstone are expected to be involved in that program's operations.

The pool was opened at the Wampanaug Inn and Bath House in 1907 and Redstone, under the name Wampanaug Springs Inc., purchased and renovated it it in 2003.

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That's where I learned to swim. I hope this works out for everyone.
from: Former Resident	on: 04-03-2012 01:58PM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (0)

Another business that only the well off can afford to join.....
from: oh boy	on: 04-03-2012 02:30PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (30)

Glad to see it coming back. Thanks to those that got involved top reclaim it.
from: Great news	on: 04-03-2012 03:38PM I Agree (18) - I Disagree (0)

Hey "Oh Boy". The "Well Off" people have pools already you nitwit. Sheesh.
from: John Frit	on: 04-03-2012 04:01PM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (4)

Bravo! Good luck!! LOVE THE WATER at Sand Springs!! We need a pool...thank you for your hard work! YES YOU CAN!
from:	on: 04-03-2012 04:16PM I Agree (12) - I Disagree (0)

This article is unclear. This group has just settled on "an option to buy", meaning they have not actually bought the property, correct? That means they've just agreed on a price but have to go out and find the money to actually complete the purchase, correct? What happens if this money is not able to be raised?
from: Clarify please.	on: 04-03-2012 04:16PM I Agree (6) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: An option to buy means they have not bought it. If the money is not raised, they can't buy it.
I Agree (5) - I Disagree (0)

Is the business/legal structure of this nonprofit group similar to the one that runs the Youth Center? That is, a group separate from the town (not public) but run with public accessibility and subsidizing fees for low-income families in mind? Or is this more of a club for members, a nonprofit version of the business that was there before?
from: Town resident	on: 04-03-2012 07:33PM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (0)

Sand Springs Recreational Center is a Massachusetts non profit and receives no revenue from the town. It will be operated independently from any other entity and intends to be self-sustaining from operating revenue. The capital campaign includes funds for both maintenance and operating reserves to help ensure this.
from: Janette Kessler Dudley	on: 04-04-2012 08:02AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)

While there are currently no funds available to subsidize memberships, the organization's goal is to keep these as low as possible. There will also be a daily use fee option. In addition, we plan to offer scholarships for swimming lessons to make them affordable to all kids in town.
from: Janette Kessler Dudley	on: 04-04-2012 08:46AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

who is the we? I like the idea as I was a member of the "pool" for many years. But, i would like to know where the money and whom is behind this project.
from: ab williamstown	on: 04-04-2012 08:55PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Why not merely incorporate? If it is a tax exempt corporation that meets certain criteria, then wealthy donors can get a tax write-off for donating as well as membership to this "club." In addition, the property will be taken off the Town's tax rolls and will be stiffing the other 99% of the Town for the bill. Another Williamstown good ol' boys scam.
from: This is so wrong	on: 04-05-2012 07:09AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (2)

In addition, we plan to offer scholarships for swimming lessons to make them affordable to all kids in town. ******************* Ah, the swimming lessons enable the non-profit to qualify as an educational institution thus making it exempt from paying property taxes to the Town of Williamstown. Well researched! I do hope this property will not be taken off the Town's tax rolls.
from: This is so wrong II	on: 04-05-2012 10:05AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (1)

The negativity astounds me. One anonymous poster asks, "Who are these people?", while committee member Janette Dudley responds to posts in her real name. Another spouts off about the "good ol' boy" conspiracy. The non-profit folks just want the pool to open again and are willing to do something about it. Is it better to have a property lie vacant than to support someone who wants to revitalize it without taxpayer money? Oh, and only the "1%" will benefit, right? Well, the pool was an expensive, for-profit operation before it folded, so if you couldn't afford it then, why cry about it now? We’d all drive a Porsche if the 1% didn’t conspire to keep us regular folks out of the driver’s seat, right? The new operators are more apt to make it affordable (scholarships, subsidies, etc.), than the previous proprietors. The true 1% around here are the “nattering nabobs of negativism” that post disproportionately on these boards.
from: 99%	on: 04-05-2012 10:31AM I Agree (12) - I Disagree (1)

Is it better to have a property lie vacant than to support someone who wants to revitalize it without taxpayer money? ******************* Again, will the group take the property off the Williamstown tasx rolls? Currently, the owners are obligated to pay property taxes. This is a simple question, not an ad hominem attack.
from: This is III	on: 04-06-2012 07:13AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

There is a dearth of economic activity because few people are willing and able to grow businesses in a tough economy with a declining population. Pools are in the "nice to have" category of a family budget and take up a lot of disposable income that isn't as disposable as it once was. The result is that there are fewer members willing and able to pay for pool access at a market-driven prices. A non-profit can provide enough financing to weather the cash-flow shortages that are sure to accrue, especially in the first years. Many towns, such as Bennington, provide cheap access to a pool so in-lieu of providing a needed service, the town involuntarily shrinks its tax base. This is a win-win. Non-profits are only a drain if they don't provide a public service. The conspiracy folks should look elsewhere instead of picking on a new non-profit that is fulfilling a need. Instead of complaining about the remnants of former local businesses, I suggest you increase your support to the goods ones that are still here. Preserve them through your patronage!
from: economics not conspiracy	on: 04-06-2012 09:05PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (1)

This is a much better solution than going for Community Preservation funds. Best of luck to the new organization. To those naysayers this is a far better solution than asking the town for money using CP funds. I hope there is an option for local kids to swim inexpensively.
from: Great solution	on: 04-07-2012 08:21AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.

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