Tony Dapolito Center—How to Help
By Ede Rothaus
Photo by Ede Rothaus.
The Tony Dapolito (Carmine Street) Recreation Center is in danger of being demolished by the City of New York. It has been closed to the public for the last five years. In July, it was announced that instead of the long promised repairs, the 125 year old facility would be destroyed and replaced by a new center as part of an ambitious plan for the 388 Hudson Street real estate development project.
The ‘rec center’ also known as ‘the Carmine Street Pool’ has been a beloved and integral part of West Village life for almost a century and a quarter. It has attracted people from all parts of the city with its outdoor and indoor swimming pools, summer day camps with free lunch programs, senior fitness and exercise classes, indoor track, gym and basketball court and film screenings. A mural painted by Keith Haring decorates one side of the wall that separates the outdoor pool from the handball and pickleball courts.
What would replace the iconic and landmarked center at the intersection of Seventh Avenue South, Carmine Street and Clarkson Street is still unknown to the public.
Working closely with Village Preservation (the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation) and its director Andrew Berman, The Village View offers the following information to help save the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center:
- Send letters to city officials opposing the Tony Dapolito demolition and supporting repairs: https://bit.ly/dapletter
- Visit Village Preservation’s Tony Dapolito webpage with the latest information and more background about the campaign: https://bit.lyTonydap
- Contact NYC Councilmember Erik Bottcher at District3@council.nyc.gov or call 212.788.6979
- Contact Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine at info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov or call 212.531.1609
