HIGH AND DRY: Fix needed for aging Lansford pool

Last week, Lansford Borough Council learned from Wade Associates that the town pool needs a major overhaul.

Without repairs, the pool might not open this year.

"It's outlived its life," said consultant Randy Galiotto.

Children and adults of the Panther Valley need the pool.

It's the anchor of the Lansford Recreation Center, a fresh-air vista that also includes a wading pool and adjacent playground area named Ashton Hill Park, plus other recreation and picnic facilities.

The site was constructed by the borough and Carbon County Commissioners and is a jewel of the county, a status held since 1944.

But right now, with summer's heat around the corner, the pool looms as a problem, a turning point in its 72-year history.

The recreation area has been operating on a shoestring budget, relying on the generosity of citizens and hands-on contributions of volunteers who've provided maintenance.

Now is the time to look for answers and to ask others to step up.

For instance, are there community organizations that might have flexibility to redirect fundraising efforts to support the pool's survival, even in a modest way?

Can lawmakers come up with emergency funds to keep the pool open? Is there, perhaps, some CDBG money that could save the day, or maybe a much-needed grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources?

Lansford Borough already is pushing forward to find answers, and last Tuesday's all-important meeting served a dual purpose.

It helped to put the issue in focus. But it also fulfilled a requirement for a DCNR grant application.

Council's Rosemary Cannon would like to see full renovation of the facility, and it's a safe bet others feel the same.

Grants are the way to go. But they often require a local match. It's likely a combination of funding sources will be needed to get the pool in shape.

In a worst-case scenario, maybe a neighboring town will offer help if Lansford can't open the pool this year.

For instance, Tamaqua and Lansford have demonstrated a strong sense of community rapport in recent years.

The towns, 7 miles apart, are situated in two different counties and part of two different school districts.

Yet those differences didn't prevent the boroughs from demonstrating a close bond in a showcase of intermunicipal cooperation.

In the summer of 2014 when repairs to a pipe temporarily closed the Lansford pool, the Howard D. Buehler Memorial Pool at Tamaqua Bungalow Park honored all Panther Valley pool tags and passes at no charge.

In addition, residents of the Panther Valley School District without a pass or tag were admitted to the Tamaqua pool by paying the same daily rate as Tamaqua area residents.

The following year, the Lansford pool returned the favor.

A wave of destructive storms dumped 4.1 inches of rain on Tamaqua and flooded the town park and its two pools with 400,000 gallons of muddy water, stones and debris.

The heavy damage forced temporary closing of the pool, but Tamaqua swimmers were greeted in Lansford by residents who held signs that read: "Welcome Bungalow friends."

In the coal regions, people pull together when there's a need, and right now, Lansford could use some help.

All hands are needed on deck to figure out a way to fix the pool in time for summer or else come up with an alternative.

By Donald R. Serfass | dserfass@tnonline.com