Bouquet Pool's permit renewed, for now, as Springdale officials try to keep it open

Springdale Township has renewed the occupancy permit for Bouquet Park Pool for two weeks as pool officials try to increase memberships by March 1, according to pool board members.

While the main task at hand for the Bouquet Park Pool is to shore up memberships to stay afloat this year, the township is trying to settle a disagreement between the pool and its neighbor, the Springdale Veterans Association, over drainage issues.

The pool has 50 members as of Wednesday, with 200 more needed by March 1 for the pool to open this year, according to pool board member Kellie Vergerio of Springdale.

This year, the private pool has reduced its membership fees, extended weekday evening hours and added new members to its board to attract more pool members. A sign-up event is planned for 4 p.m. Feb. 29 at Fat Cat Subs in Harmar. Applications are available on the Bouquet Park Pool Facebook page and at a number of local businesses and the Springdale Free Public Library.

The pool is fielding another issue: Reaching an agreement with the Springdale Veterans Association over regular cleaning of a catch basin, which has caused water to back up and flood the association’s parking lot.

The township last month pulled the pool’s occupancy permit until both sides reached an agreement on a remedy for the drainage from the pool.

Township Commissioners President Anthony Rozzano put together a meeting last month with the township, the pool and the Veterans Association. Both sides agreed to split the cost of cleaning the catch basin to prevent future flooding, according to Vergerio.

Details are still being worked out, according to Vergerio and Rozzano.

Because both sides are close to a final agreement, the township recently extended the pool’s occupancy permit for two weeks pending the finalization of the agreement, Rozzano said.

“I wish the pool well,” he said. “I want to see the agreement happen.”