GOING OFF THE DEEP END: MCCARREN POOL
Few would complain if they heard that they would be getting a new swimming pool in their neighborhood, but this is just not the case for the residents of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In fact, some might even consider it a tragedy. Sunday, August 30 marked the date of the last concert at the ever trendy McCarren Park Pool. Sonic Youth had the honor of playing at the final show along with Vivian Girls, Times New Viking, and Wolf Eyes. The pool was originally built by Robert Moses in 1936 but fell into a state of ruin and was closed in 1984. Four years ago, Noémie Lafrance, a Canadian choreographer, was able to raise enough money with Live Nation as her accomplice to transform the cement pit into a performance space. It has since become a haven for hipsters featuring not just concerts, but also plays, movie screenings, craft fairs, and rousing games of dodgeball. Yes, this pool has had more makeovers than Madonna, and it will have one more if Mayor Bloomberg's plan is approved. Renovations could start as early as Spring to turn the space back into a normal swimming pool. There is some good news for forlorn hipsters craving concerts and dodgeball though! The Open Space Alliance has already started the search for a replacement venue and are looking at Bushwick Inlet Park, but we all know deep down, McCarren Pool is irreplaceable.
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