Four swimming pools across the Alle-Kiski Valley dive into their summer seasons with Saturday openings.
For Springdale Township’s Bouquet Park Pool, it took a successful $20,000 fundraising campaign to make this season happen.
Pool officials had been worried they would have to scrap the summer season and file for bankruptcy protection if they didn’t meet the fundraising goal. But board member Richard Kern said several private and anonymous donors stepped up to help.
“We ended up getting tremendous outreach from the community,” Kern said.
Volunteers have been busy this week getting the pool cleaned and ready to open Saturday.
“Right now, the pool is full and we’re doing our best to add the chemicals,” he said. “It’s definitely a rush.”
The children’s pool has a new octopus painting done by volunteer David Anker and officials are hoping to add a tennis court area on the property.
The membership-based, nonprofit community pool opened in 1965. Board members say operating costs have increased over the years as water rates have gone up, while membership has declined and repairs have mounted. Its annual operating budget of about $75,000 is raised through membership costs and fundraisers.
Pool officials dealt with a few unexpected expenses last year that have carried over into this year, including $10,000 for a new heater for the pool. That’s on top of annual expenses such as insurance, property taxes, payroll and ongoing repairs to the pool’s liner. Replacing the liner with a new one would cost between $50,000 and $100,000.
The board is still seeking donations. Anyone who wants to donate or become a member should call 724-351-1865 or write to Allegheny Valley Swimming Pool Association, P.O. Box 172, Springdale, PA 15144. Checks should be made out to the Allegheny Valley Swimming Pool Association.
Other pools scheduled to open Saturday include Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool in Vandergrift, Leechburg Area Pool in Gilpin and Sylvan Park Pool in Harrison. Beyond pools, Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Spray Park is already open and Boyce Park Wave Pool in Plum and Deer Lakes Spray Park in West Deer open June 1.
Sylvan Park Pool’s Bob Crain said poolgoers won’t notice many changes this summer — and they shouldn’t notice any leaks in the bathhouse either.
The pool spent $14,000 to put a new flat roof on the bathhouse that contains the men’s and women’s changing areas, family restroom and pool office, Crain said.
Sylvan’s yearly maintenance fees also increased slightly. For individuals, this year’s $145 maintenance is up $5 from last year and the $290 yearly maintenance fee for family memberships is up $10. The membership rates — $100 for individuals and $200 for families — remain the same as they have been since 1968, Crain said.
At Riverview Memorial Spray Park, officials plan to add structures to provide shaded areas for visitors.
