People Protecting the Lake
Since 1885.
Lake George
Association – P.O. Box 408 – Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 668-3558 – Fax
(518) 668-4702 – www.lakegeorgeassociation.org
August 7, 2007
For
Immediate Release
Contact: James Hood
Communications Coordinator
Lake George Association
Phone: (518) 668-3558
LGA UNVEILS PLANS FOR NEW TI BEACH PAVILION
Lake George, NY – Final plans were unveiled by the Lake George Association (LGA) this week for the construction of a new beach pavilion for the Ticonderoga Public Beach on Black Point Road on Lake George.
“We’re really pleased with the final result,” said Walt Lender, Lake George Association, Executive Director. “It will be a lake-friendly building, utilizing low-flow water fixtures, natural lighting through translucent ceiling panels, and low-energy electrical fixtures.”
Modest in size, the building is roughly 900 square feet, but accommodates changing areas and handicap-accessible rest rooms for both genders as well as a small storage area for equipment and an ample covered portico for shelter from sun and rain.
“It’s smaller than the old beach house, so it will have less impact on stormwater and less visual impact,” said Lender. “It will be set farther back from both neighboring residences and the lake itself.”
Stormwater will be managed on site with a rain garden or some similar attractive vegetative swale using native plantings.
The plan also includes interpretive signage about the Lake George ecosystem and lake-friendly living incorporated into the building.
“Signage at the Ticonderoga public beach is a great new avenue for spreading our message about protecting Lake George to people in the northern part of the lake,” said Emily DeBolt, the LGA’s Education and Outreach Coordinator. “We all live in a watershed and actions we take can have an effect on the quality of the lake’s water.”
DeBolt hopes the signage will instill in the many users of the beach pavilion, especially the hundreds of young people involved in the summer youth program, that Lake George is rated AA-Special, the highest quality of drinkable water in New York State. The interpretive signage is being underwritten by a grant from the International Paper Company Foundation.
“The building is designed to incorporate elements of Adirondack architecture with natural stone work and natural siding along with modern building materials,” stated architect Joseph Vilardo of Hoffman-Vilardo Architects. “It’s also designed to allow minimal opportunity for vandalism, an unfortunate and recurring issue with both the former beach building and even the temporary storage units on site now.”
Funding for
the building comes from a capital grant secured by Senator Betty Little. “I’m
very pleased progress continues to be made on what will be a wonderful
community asset for many years to come,” said Senator Little. “The pavilion
design is beautiful, functional and environmentally sensitive and I am eagerly
looking forward to seeing it constructed.”
“It’s an elegant design, simple and attractive,” added Joyce Cooper, a local resident and volunteer who has been the driving force behind revitalization of the Public Beach.
“It will be nice to have running water and rest room facilities there again,” said Town Supervisor Robert Dedrick. “The old beach house was considerably run down and was no longer able to provide these necessities, so we have been renting port-o-johns which are not attractive and are also an added expense to the town. The Department of Health has been very patient allowing us to continue using them because they knew we were working on a new facility,” he added.
“We’re excited about the new building especially that there will be running water again,” Sara Joubert, one of the summer lifeguards, commented.
EF Nolan Builders will construct the building.
“We had several qualified bidders for the project, and we are pleased to be working with a local firm,” Lender stated. Construction will begin immediately after the beach closes for the season.
The funds for the building design and construction come from Empire State Development to the Lake George Association.
“The Ticonderoga Community is extremely appreciative of Senator Little’s leadership bringing in funds for this project. The Ticonderoga Beach is a jewel and arguably the best view on Lake George. Now it will have a building that suits that distinction,” said Supervisor Dedrick. “Next we have to work on upgrading the equipment and additional landscaping. We have great momentum and we plan to keep it up.”
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