If you have thoughts — or would like to hear some — about what could replace the Crystal Lake bathhouse, please come to Crystal Lake – Vision 2020, a meeting to share ideas and public input this Thursday, September 15, from 7PM to 9PM at the current bathhouse (20 Rogers Street in Newton Highlands). The event will be hosted by the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council and the Crystal Lake Conservancy, which support an initiative to build a new bathhouse by the summer of 2020. (See the event flyer.)
Discussion will include the importance of having a new, modern facility at the Lake, the potential for a four-season community space, and ways to increase passive and active recreational use of the Lake. Attendees will include State Representative Ruth Balser, City Councilors, Parks & Recreation Department leaders, Planning Department staff, members from Green Newton and the Newton Conservators, pedestrian and bicycle advocates, and citizens from across the city. Whether or not you can attend, please share your thoughts in the comments below. (Sorry, but refreshments will be served only at the meeting, not online.)
Ideally, it should be rebuilt to include a function hall (and associated kitchen) to be rented out for functions. The catering could be partnered with a local college culinary program ( with a culinary program in the Newton schools being a part as well).
It would provide jobs, experience, and a nice alternative for the community, when someone needs to cater an event.
One item of discussion will be the cost. The current price to replace the bath house is around $8 million.
Don’t get me wrong: Crystal Lake is a beautiful gem and my family goes there quite often. But the only reason people are inside the bath house is to check in, change clothes and use the restroom. I think there are better ways to spend $8 million.
@Andy: I think you are wrong. That location has the potential to be so much more than a place to change your clothes.
I agree with Greg, and that was the point I was trying to make. Creating a catering hall, to rent out, will provide use all 12 months of the year.
It will be a great venue, due to its beautiful view, and has parking associated with it, to minimize problems for the neighborhood.
The cost will be recouped over time, as this aspect will generate revenue. Another section of the faculty would house the traditional bath house changing area.
Partnering with a college and our high school to run the operations, will create invaluable experience for future employment.
It could b ea substantial win all around.
I just got Greg Reibman and Neal Fleisher to agree!
But seriously, there’s not all that much room inside the clubhouse. So it would need to be dramatically expanded. How would that work? Would it involve the adjacent little park area? Or would you build up?
I just remembered in my mind’s eye the second level with the balcony, so strike my “building up” question. I haven’t been up there in a long time, but suppose it would be enough space to accommodate a smallish function.
I was under the impression that when they said ” a new modern facility”; they meant new construction. It wouldn’t have to be a small function hall.
It would be great to have a kayak and paddleboard launch site.
I was at the presentation last evening and it was a ten strike. I can’t believe some way won’t be found to make this happen. Congratulations to the project organizers for a great sendoff.
Great ideas for the bathhouse – function place plus kayaks and paddle boards. All for it. Don’t forget; we still need to change our clothes and ….
I should have said “kickoff” instead of “sendoff”. Sendoff is a term used in Ireland and over here to denote a funeral, burial and post burial get together for food, drink and remembrances. Hardly what’s going on here.