The mission: create a family friendly destination that will attract visitors year-round. The result: design and construction of a waterfront complex that includes a winter ice rink, summer splash pad, year-round pavilion, bathhouse, and outdoor showers. The new Clute Park in Watkins Glen provides year-round, flexible, and accessible public gathering spaces for residents and visitors.
Welliver constructed the new 4,500 SF pavilion with an event center, four restrooms, a café, and a full kitchen. A second 1,500 SF building was built for bathrooms and lifeguard/skate rental housing. The third 600 SF building is for storage of the Zamboni and ice rink equipment. Welliver also installed an outdoor ice rink with a built-in splash pad for use in the summer months. The new pavilion contains a 1,950 SF glass curtainwall on the perimeter walls for optimal views of Seneca Lake. And what a view! Both the pavilion and bathhouse were built with numerous angles for architectural appeal. Once finished the open-air complex will be over 11,000 SF.
Hosted by the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development, the Clute Park project is the leading public project in the village’s New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The project was funded by several grants from New York State, including those from the Department of State, Local, Waterfront Revitalization Program; Department of State DRI; and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
“This project comes with a unique set of challenges and requirements with four different grant funding sources, as well as a waterfront location. The winter winds off the lake give a new meaning to cold. Having a local partner in Welliver allowed this park to truly be a ‘community effort’ and that has been felt throughout the project. The team from Welliver has been responsive and creative to challenges that have arisen and a great partner in ensuring the project is progressing on budget and schedule.”
“Clute Park is an unmatched natural resource within the Village and this transformational project will evolve the park into a year-round waterfront destination. The project will create a signature public amenity for the Village, by improving park assets, investing in family-oriented winter recreational amenities, and enhancing access to the region’s natural resources and recreational amenities, to promote year-round living and tourism.”
Kristin VanHorn, AICP, LEED GA – Schuyler County Planning Director
