SEBCO Pool may look different by next summer
Butler County’s swimmers have just a week to enjoy SEBCO Pool before it closes for the year on Labor Day weekend. By the time pool-goers return next season, the pool may have a new look, thanks to a series of upgrades which are planned to commence during the off-season.
Located within and owned by Jefferson Township, the pool is a major summer “hot spot” for kids and adults in Saxonburg, Sarver, and Cabot who are looking to beat the heat. Opened in 1967, much of its infrastructure still dates back to then and is showing its age.
Township manager Leo Rosenbauer said the “large-ticket” items are a new pool liner and a refurbished filtration room.
“We're hoping that renovations are complete to start up for Memorial Day of 2024,” Rosenbauer said. “That’s the intent.”
Jefferson Township has applied for multiple grants to help fund the renovation project, and has received a $550,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The DCNR grant is a 50-50 “matching” grant, meaning that Jefferson Township must be able to match the amount by raising $550,000 of its own money. To supplement this, SEBCO Pool administrators have applied for a second grant — a $250,000 “Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program” grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
If awarded, the money from this grant would count toward the match for the first grant. Either way, the pool board and Jefferson Township are soliciting donations to help reach the goal. According to SEBCO Pool board member Greg Bauer, the pool staff has done whatever it can over the summer to help raise the funds, including a “Swim-a-Thon” on Aug. 12, which will become an annual event.
“We’ve been doing little things during the pool year. Lifeguards would put on games for a dollar or two,” Bauer said. “And then they did a ‘swim-a-thon’ two weeks ago.”
Through these games, the pool raised just short of $1,000, which was submitted in the form of a check to the township.
Rosenbauer expects that bids for the renovation project will go out by November.
Anyone can chip in to help fund the pool renovation project by mailing a check to the Jefferson Township municipal building at 157 Great Belt Road in Butler, 16002. They also can contact the township office directly at 724-352-2324, or reach Bauer at 724-524-3663.
