A storm is coming. Okay, I can’t guarantee a storm, but I am sure it will sprinkle at least once or twice in the coming weeks. Fine, I can’t guarantee that either, but what do you think this is? This is Pop Style TV, not the weather channel. What we do know is coming is a floating Plus Pool- an Olympic-sized structure with cruise-like decking, on course to be available to the public by 2018 at the latest, but hopefully sooner. As this is NYC, this isn’t just any floating pool- it will be the first of its kind designed to filter river water into safe, swimmable water, the East River currently being the planned location.
The inspiration? Oana Stanescu, one of the designers behind the project, said, “If you’ve been in July or August in New York, it is so hot and humid, and really that’s what it was. It was one of those hot summer days in the city, and despite being surrounded by water in Manhattan, you still feel so removed from it. We thought- wouldn’t it be nice to be swimming in the river right now?” Oana and her team made this summer dream a reality (which isn’t possible if you don’t know, due to the polluted water and genetic mutations you might suffer from a quick dip in the East River). She added, “That is how it all started, and then it developed into the importance of the filtration and making a positive impact on the environment.”
The pool will be anchored to the riverbed and serve like a “giant strainer”, built from filtration material that can remove bacteria and contaminants from a half-million gallons of polluted river water each day.
There is also a second inspiration behind the design of the pool. “Also being in New York, there are people with very different interests, and if you’ve been to any of the pools in the city, there’s always schedules- there is always a cost in between people who are doing laps and sports, or people who just want to lounge. Why don’t we make a pool that is for everybody, so everyone can use the pool at the same time?” This resulted in the shape of the pool, which are actually four pools together. The four pools are each designated for kids, lounging, laps, and sports. “All these different worlds and people using the pool at the same time.” More of a lounger, I have never been a fan of children running around and peeing in the water, or flying volleyballs pegging me in the face. This is positive segregation.
In other words, the pool by nature is a representation of New York itself, making space for everyone, of all ages, races, hobbies, and motivations. Yes, even the old men who will be catcalling you ladies in bikinis. “New York wants and needs this pool.” Oana thanks the success and quick progression of this project to social media, and the outcry of support and donations the kick-starter has attained.
The total hard cost for the pool is estimated to be around fifteen million dollars. Though there will be some sort of cost or fee to access the pool, Oana assures me it will be minimal and her ultimate goal is to make the pool accessible to everyone. Oana- our hero.
