Sewickley Community Center receives donation from Tapas Talks to help fund pool renovations

The Sewickley Community Center received a $600 donation Wednesday afternoon to help fund its pool renovations.

Tapas Talks, a speaker series in Sewickley that highlights the talent and achievements of individuals in the Sewickley area, provided the donation to the center. The organization has previously donated to the Sewickley YMCA to support its 2020 Summer Camp.

“When the Tapas Talks Board of Directors decided to give a donation to the Sewickley Community Center, I called to ask (secretary of the center) Miriam Rader where our donation was most needed, and she mentioned that their Community Center pool was in great need of repairs,” said Fran Merryman, president of Tapas Talks.

Merryman said the community center’s pool is the only public pool in Sewickley without a membership requirement.

Founded in 1935, the Sewickley Community Center — originally named the “Sewickley Colored Community Center” — offers an array of services ranging from daycare services and the pool to the gymnasium, fields and food pantry. Bob Patterson, president of the community center’s board of directors said the center was created for when African Americans were not allowed at the YMCA in Sewickley.

Patterson said the board will be testing the pool’s infrastructure throughout the season to see what repairs and upgrades are needed.

The board had the roof and gutters repaired as part of its effort to renovate the center. There will be fundraising efforts to renovate the parking lot after the pool. Renovations for the pool will cost $30,000 and for the parking lot will be $35,000.

“We are extremely grateful that people think of us to make these kind of donations,” Patterson said, “Regardless of the amount.”