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

Williamstown Group To Purchase Sand Springs Pool

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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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Williamstown Business Owner Calls for Action on Economic Development

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A Spring Street business owner and former town official is sounding the alarm about the economic health of the Village Business District.
 
Amy Jeschawitz, who owns Nature's Closet and formerly served on the Planning Board, went to the Finance Committee last week to raise concerns about what she characterized as the lack of an "overall plan" for economic development in the town.
 
"Economic development, housing, new growth and business all go hand in hand," Jeschawitz said, alluding to the topic that dominated the Fin Comm's meeting before she addressed the body. "I know what a struggle it is for housing in this town."
 
Jeschawitz sent a letter to both the Fin Comm and the Select Board in which she called on town officials to take action.
 
"As a community we can no longer sit and pretend we are insulated because we live in Williamstown and have Williams College," Jeschawitz wrote. "We need growth, we need new homes, we need  jobs, we need better transportation options and we need to start filling the needs of the  tourism industry who come here from NYC and the Boston area.  
 
"We do not need to form a committee to study this – we have done that repeatedly over the  years to no action. Reports sitting on shelves. We need you, the Select Board and Finance  Committee to start taking actions."
 
Jeschawitz appearance before the Finance Committee on Oct. 29 was followed by a "Williamstown Business District Walking Tour" on Thursday afternoon that was posted as a public meeting for the Select Board to have what the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce billed as "a constructive conversation … to discuss ways to improve the economic development of Williamstown."
 
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