SEBCO Pool meeting answers questions
JEFFERSON TWP — The SEBCO Pool board of directors is eager to get one message across as it pursues a renovation project, and that is the pool is not closing.
Greg Bauer, pool board president, held a public forum Thursday evening at the pool’s main pavilion.
“I just wanted to offer a question-and-answer session in a group setting instead of on social media,” Bauer said.
About a dozen people attended.
He said many anxious pool customers asked on social media and in person if the pool would close after they learned from various news sources that much work is needed at the 56-year-old facility.
Bauer explained that a pool study commissioned by township supervisors offered four options for repairing the pool and its systems.
He said the least expensive $1 million estimated option, which he is leaning toward, would see a new liner installed to cover cracks in the pool, make repairs in the pump room and replace the pool heater.
The work depends on whether grants applied for by township officials are approved.
After the amount of grant funding is known, the pool board members will meet with township officials to determine which option will be chosen.
Township officials would then advertise for bids for each job to be done, and the supervisors would decide which bids are accepted.
Bauer said residents will not see a tax increase to pay for the repairs, but that grant funds may not appear for three or four years.
He said in the option he favors, the work could be completed while the pool is closed so that interruption in pool season would not occur.
Bauer added that state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, will tour the pool and pump room with him Monday morning.
He said Mustello will advocate for the pool as grant awards are considered in Harrisburg.
One woman asked Bauer if the cheapest option is the best idea, or if additional problems will crop up in five to 10 years.
Bauer replied that a new liner would likely last 20 to 25 years.
He said the option also would address his biggest concerns, which are the pump room and pool heater.
Answering another question, Bauer said he is very confident the pool will eventually be approved for the grants they need to make repairs at the pool.
He said the pool can operate for three to four more years without the repairs.
Bauer said additional questions about the pool project can be emailed to him at sebcopool@gmail.com.
He said the board is seeking volunteers to help out at the pool. Those interested can send a message to Bauer at the same email address.
