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1980-02-25 EXE ; QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1980 EXECUTIVE SESSION Town Supervisor Fran Walter explained the facts concerning the Lake George property (Sandy Bay) and relayed information concern- ing the State of New York's interest in acquiring the 177 acre par- cel of property in Queensbury known as the wet lands. Mrs. Walter felt that inasmuch as the Town owns the wet lands that a trade for the Sandy Bay property might be possible. The entire process was lengthy, possibly three years, and would require legislative action as well as a statewide referendum but it was pointed out that such a trade has been done by other communities in the past. Those present discussed the future use of the Sandy Bay property in terms of recrea- tion and it was the consensus that specifying a particular type of use (i.e. swimming, boating etc.) was out of the question at this time. Mrs. Walter explained that New York State was extremely interested in acquiring the wet lands either through purchase, by trade or by condemnation and that the Town at this time was in a favorable bar- gaining position. Loss of the wet lands through a straight sale would negate that position. Therefore, the Supervisor requested to know the Commission's feeling regarding Sandy Bay as a possible future recreation site. The Commission voted unanimously to have the Supervisor and the Recreation Director investigate further the possibility of swaping the wet lands for the Sandy Bay property. However, a majority of Commissioner's were opposed to the possible development of the proper- ty in terms of a recreational facility at this time. The Director was asked to update Mrs. Walter concerning the Recreation Department's intention to purchase the 32 acre parcel of property adjacent to Gurney Lane. This property was appraised by Mr. Van Dyke and the Town Attorney J. Brennan is presently negotiating a price per acre with the pr~perty owner's attorney. The Recreation Commission, after walking the property, believes this land has future recreati~nal value~i. terms of expansion of the Gurney Lane recreation area. The Director pointed out that the Commission has no specific plans per se~for the development of this property. Inasmuch as there is an opportunity at this time, to purchase additional property adjacent to Gurney Lane at a reasonable price, based on the appraisal it would seem prudent to do so. Mrs. Walter relayed that the Town Board has been apprized of the situation and that there was no object- ion to the possible purchase of this property in terms of future recreational use. Page 2 Regarding the access to Gurney Lane, the Director explained and showed the recently completed survey map done by Mr. Van Dusen, Town Surveyor. It would seem that the T.own has in fact exceeded the 15 foot right-of-way to Gurney Lane which was granted by the Warren County Board of Supervisors. The survey map has now con- firmed this and the Director recommended that he be allowed to talk with Warren County concerning the possible purchase of a small triangle of land (approximately one acre) which if owned by the Town would alleviate this situation. The Commission concurred with the Directors recommendation and instructed the Director to try and determine a price for the piece of property in question. The Director relayed the pool information which has been gather- ed based on meetings with Paddock Pool personnel. To build a new concrete pool with filtration equipment, approximately the same size as the present Gurney Lane pool, would cost somewhere in the neigh- borhood of $400,000.00 A new bath house, additional fencing, park- ing and decking if desired, might cost another $200,000.00. Con- sidering the Recreation Departments budget and based on these figures it would seem that a new pool is not within the realm of possibility at this time. The Commission suggested that the Director seek out other pool companies to get comparable prices to determine how in- flated the initial figures actually were. Once this is complete the Commission can better judge whether the next step, an architect, is practical and should be undertaken.