Keeping pool afloat

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Kendall Harvey (left) and Kaylie Queer, both 6, play at the Ebensburg swimming pool last week. John Rucosky

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July 5, 2010

Fix-up of Ebensburg facility could total $1.1M

Kelly Urban kurban@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Mon Jul 05, 2010, 11:36 PM EDT

EBENSBURG — A community pool may soon be getting a much needed face-lift.

In a feasibility study done in 2008 by Harrisburg-based Wade Associates, a consulting firm specializing in providing services in the design of swimming pool and aquatic facilities, concluded that the Ebensburg Borough swimming pool requires some major rehabilitation work.

The cost to bring the pool just up to code, meaning replacing drains, installing a new filtration system, sandblasting old layers of paint and patching and installing a handicap lift, would cost $600,000. The company also recommended additional upgrades that would cosmetically enhance the facility. Those include replacing the concrete deck, adding sliding boards and water play features, installing a heater and new

lighting and renovating the bathhouses.

The cost to implement the recommendations plus the enhancements is $1.1 million.

The pool was built in 1938 and is one of the oldest in the state. Since its construction, the facility has gone through a handful of renovations, all mechanical in nature.

At its June 28 meeting, Borough Council agreed to explore the full renovation option further and plans to move forward with applying for a $300,000 grant with the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Councilman Dave Kuhar said he’s in favor of seeing the pool become a more modern facility.

“Either we close the pool or we do it right,” he said. “If we reopen it with what we already have there now, who will it attract? There is no point in renovating it if nobody goes.”

By doing the entire project, local fundraising would be required to raise $300,000.

Should the grant fall through, the borough would be responsible for covering the rest of the $800,000 bill – a difference of $200,000 from the estimate of bringing the pool up to code.

Even without the grant, Councilman Terry Illig said he completely supports the project.

“I think we will be able to pull in a lot more people with the upgrades,” he said.

Echoing Illig’s statement, Junior Councilor Zachary Ambrisco said doing the complete overhaul would help attract more young people.

“Years ago a lot of people came to the pool, but now they are going to other places because they have more features,” he said.

In a survey completed in February by borough residents,

86 percent supported the pool project. In addition, 64 percent supported it even if it would require a slight tax increase.

But Councilman Joe Lutz voiced his concerns and said if grant funding doesn’t come through he will have a tough time voting for the complete renovation.

“My concern is that we have to be financially responsible to borough residents, and if the economy was great I’d be all for this,” he said. “For a facility that can only be used 90 days – and that’s being generous – is it worth the $1.1 million?”

Officials will know by September if the grant is approved.

They will then make their decision on whether to proceed.

To date, the pool has 52 family memberships, 11 individual student/adult memberships and six senior citizen memberships.

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Keeping pool afloat

Fix-up of Ebensburg facility could total $1.1M

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