Officials will review Ligonier Beach renovation costs, solicit public input

The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on plans for reviving the shuttered Ligonier Beach entertainment site during two planned meetings, including one this week.

The sessions are set for Wednesday and March 25, each beginning at 7 p.m., in the Fort Ligonier history education center at 200 S. Market St., Ligonier.

Ligonier Township bought the closed swimming pool and restaurant in November from Sherry and Steven Kozar for $230,000, with the intent of reopening it as a community recreational facility. Township Manager Terry Carcella said an engineering consultant has developed cost estimates for renovating the landmark site’s various amenities, which will be presented at Wednesday’s meeting.

The township received $130,000 from the state and $250,000 from the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation.

According to Carcella, the township would like to refurbish pavilions and have them ready for rental this summer. It eventually may consider having an outside entity reopen and operate the pool.

A local committee that is overseeing the project wants to hear ideas from the public. Anyone who would like to make a presentation at either meeting is asked to contact the township office in advance, at 724-238-2725.

In addition to the township administrative staff, the Ligonier Beach committee includes residents Julie Donovan, Melissa Eller and Mark Sorice along with these township officials: Supervisors Scott Matson and Dan Weimer; planning commission members Sheila Grimm and Mickey Corb, and recreation committee members Larry Shew and Bob Gangawere. Mayor Butch Bellas is representing Ligonier Borough.