The restoration and reopening of the Forty Fort pool is one step closer to reality as the borough was just approved for a $208,250 grant through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation program to help fund a potential massive repairs project.
“This grant is a vital first step in launching the efforts to restore and reopen the pool. There is a great deal of work that lies ahead, but this is very exciting news for Forty Fort,” Mayor Brian Thomas stated in his monthly memo to residents.
The mayor thanked the community volunteers, who he said assisted in pulling together the grant application for submission.
More information will be announced as the project moves forward and the mayor anticipates it will be included as an item on the agenda during council’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 3.
Discussions regarding repairs to the Forty Fort pool began around February 2024, when it was announced the pool would not be included in the borough’s yearly operating budget and would not open for the then upcoming summer season.
At the time, Thomas stated that the pool needed “significant” repairs in order to open safely, including fixing structural issues, updating safety features, and addressing equipment malfunctions.
According to the mayor, the pool was operating at a loss of about $30,000 per year and it would have been irresponsible to open it last year.
Additionally, at a previous council meeting, it was stated that the borough was facing a decline in residents buying passes to the pool, as well as challenges hiring and maintaining staff.
Still, residents turned out in droves last year to express their outrage over the pool not opening for the summer. Many said they were willing to volunteer and look into alternate ways to fund the pool’s repairs.
A pool committee was formed around March 2024, with Councilwoman Kristy Dadurka at the helm. The group later identified the Greenways, Trails and Recreation program as a possible option.
The Forty Fort pool has been a staple in the community for over 80 years.
It underwent extensive repairs in 2017.
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