part of the town of Princeton, and is an asset to both continued from page one the University and IAS,” the have provided support for letter stated. “The closing of the operations of the NSC the club would be an enorfor many years, and cited mous loss for its members NS C f inancial problems and the wider communities. including inability to make It is for these reasons that “payments on its debt obli- we ask for the University’s gation of at least $319,857 continued support. Followto PNC and the University,” ing the path we’ve mapped as well as inability to pay for out herein, we are confident next season’s operational that Nassau will thrive in the costs and to “address fu- future.” ture capital improvements Richard Bolster, former to maintain the facilities.” NSC board president and In its January 30 response currently one of the memto Parisi, the NSC Board of bers working on a fundraisDirectors asked the Univer- ing campaign, reflected on sity for a three-year exten- his family’s engagement sion, “granting us a three- with NSC since its start in year window in which to 1970. “It’s really a special de m on s t r ate a re n e we d place,” he said. “Somehow commitment to the future of for more than 50 years a the Club from both a volun- community that is wonderteer and financial perspec- ful forms there every sumtive” so that “NSC can prove mer. It’s truly diverse. I grew its solvency and long-term up there hearing all different viability.” languages, seeing Institute The directors’ letter went for Advanced Study families on to cite an encouraging that would come in and Unisurvey of members who ex- versity professors with their pressed willingness to sup- families.” port the club with a range Bolster’s parents were of volunteer tasks as well members in the early 1970s as financial contributions; and he swam there as a plans for a capital fundrais- young boy, then served as ing campaign among current a lifeguard in the 1980s. members and NSC alum- He lived in California and ni; optimistic plans for a New York after college, but strengthened 2024 budget; moved back to the area and extensive plans for increas- rejoined the Club. “Now my ing membership in the Uni- daughter is a high school versity and IAS communities junior and has been on the and in the larger Princeton NSC team for about 10 a rea; and innovative pro- years, so it’s the third gengrams for children. Town Topics Ad — 02/21/24 eration,” he added. The letter the safe, 1/4-page coloremphasized ad 5.125" the wide XHe8"emphasized high for $220 NSC’s favorable location on welcoming, supportive envithe west side of Princeton, ronment. “it’s a place where easily accessible to t he kids can hang out and be University Graduate Col- kids,” he said. “It’s very safe. lege, graduate housing, and It’s small enough that you the IAS campus. “We feel can see everybody. Nobody’s strongly that NSC is a key ever out of eyesight. You can
just let your kids be kids and not worry too much about them or hover over them.” Bolster went on to express surprise and dismay at the University’s decision to terminate the lease. The NSC has been struggling financially ever since major renovations at the Community Park Pool about 10 years ago drew some members away from NSC, and the Universit y had been stepping up to pay taxes and provide other financial support. “We’re baffled and frustrated,” Bolster said in criticizing the University’s decision to end that support. Longtime NSC member Chiara Nappi recalled her family’s involvement with NSC over the past 37 years. “Our children spent their summers swimming there and competing on the Nassau Swim Team,” she wrote in an email. “Our grandchildren have done the same in the past decade. They all have wonderful memories of Nassau: a full day aquatics program, a great time outdoors in a bucolic, safe, and nurturing environment. There is no place like Nassau!” Skoge described her family’s recent experience as club members. ”NSC has brought a lot of joy to my family, friends, and neighbors,” she wrote. “We joined last summer, and by the end of the summer I was telling all my friends about what a hidden gem I found. I loved our daily routine. My daughter had an hour of swim team practice in the morning and then she could play with friends in the aquatics program the rest of the
day, making bracelets, playing board games and pool games, and doing arts and crafts.” She continued, “My kids loved the large baby pool, which provides a place for kids to play regardless of whether they can swim. It was great for my daughter’s sixth birthday party. Our summer at NSC was everything I wanted — spending our days at a pool in the woods, surrounded by the beauty of nature, and with a friendly and diverse community of people. I wasn’t planning on sending my children to any other camp this summer. So you can imagine how devastated I was when I learned NSC was being closed permanently. I don’t know of any other place like NSC.” Skoge is still hoping that the swim club will be able to find a way to survive. “I’m still hopeful that we can reach some kind of agreement with Princeton University, IAS, or the town that could save the pool,” she said. “The stakes are simply too high to give up until all options have been explored and the community has had their say.” —Donald Gilpin
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Affordable Housing continued from page one
housing landscape, past and present, and illustrates the challenges and necessity of affordable housing in Princeton today.” Mleczko credits much of the work on the map to colleague Carrie Bly and thenundergraduate Justin Hinson. “Much of what you see on that map was her work,” he said of Bly. “Her source materials were everything from newspaper articles to interviews with local elders and longtime residents.” The project became the topic of an intersession course at the University, in which students and staff members worked together to add to the map. “Part of what makes this unique is that any member of the public can propose adding to it,” Mleczko said. “It’s a document that lives on. This panel is designed to help.” Princeton finalized its latest plan to meet the need for affordable housing in December 2019. The next round is coming up in 2025. “ We have a profou n d shor tage of affordable housing in Princeton,” said Mleczko. “It’s an issue that
affects a lot of folks. Like many communities, we’re in a hole when it comes to the affordable housing we need. But I also want to emphasize that trends recently have been positive. There is really good momentum. I don’t want to leave people with the idea that there is no way we can meet the need. Our latest settlement in the third round with Fair Share Housing Center is a really positive step. The hundreds of units that are going up are going to help.” The panel discussion provides an opportunity for further progress. “Folks in the community need to come together, step up, and realize we need to be better at providing for folks who want to remain here or would like to live here but can’t afford it. This event can be an inspiration as we look toward those next obligations. We want to really help Princeton reach its goals for being an inclusive and equitable place.” —Anne Levin
9 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024
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