Plans for refurbished Roslyn Country Club include pools, food court, playground
North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth answers questions on Nov. 6, 2014 about a proposal for the renovation and reopening of the shuttered Roslyn Country Club. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
The $14.2 million renovation of the long-shuttered Roslyn Country Club is to include a large pool area, food court, playground and basketball court, under a plan unveiled by Town of North Hempstead officials.
Roslyn Heights residents have been mostly receptive to the proposal that turns the club into a special park district.
"It'll be like nothing that's ever been there before," Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said of the new facility.
Under the proposal, the town would purchase the 7.2-acre club for $2 million. The renovation work would be funded with a $12.2 million bond, on which residents would pay debt service.
The redevelopment is to include new and refurbished amenities such as a modern main pool with general swim, lap and plunge areas, a white-water slide with two plumes, a wading pool with spray features, decorative concrete decking, a food court, basketball court, playground area and new fencing.
For the first time, the country club would have a dedicated clubhouse, with a bath house, locker rooms, family restrooms, office, storage and multipurpose community space. Work would begin sometime next year and be completed by 2017, officials said.
Howard Weitzman, financial consultant for the town, explained during two meetings in recent days that the estimated median annual amount residents would pay is $1,320. Nonresidents who live in other areas of North Hempstead would be charged an undetermined fee to join.
About 150 residents attended a meeting Thursday, most in support of the plan, hosted by North Hempstead officials and officers of the local civic association at The Wheatley School in Old Westbury. Another 50 attended Sunday's meeting, again with most largely supporting the plan.
The country club, built in the 1950s, was closed eight years ago after Manouchehr Malekan, owner of the holding company that owns the property, sued residents to extinguish easement rights that have been in place since 1959. The easements granted residents access to a pool and tennis courts for a $100 annual fee.
After losing the lawsuit, Malekan closed the country club, and about 400 residents countersued him and the holding company over being denied access. Actions against Malekan, but not the company, have been dismissed.
Todd Zarin, president of the Roslyn Country Club Civic Association, said all but two residents seem ready to drop their lawsuits to regain access.
Town Attorney Elizabeth Botwin said in an interview that the "lawsuits won't stand in the way" of the sale.
Reached by phone Friday, David Jaroslawicz, whose Manhattan law firm represents Malekan, said the town can buy the club but it must assume responsibility for costs associated with remaining lawsuits.
"As long as they agree to indemnify us," Jaroslawicz said.
