Mifflinburg intends to open pool on June 1

Apr. 30—MIFFLINBURG — The Mifflinburg Community Pool will open on June 1.

After an 80-minute executive session to discuss pool personnel at a special meeting on Tuesday night, borough council members voted to defer the opening of the 65-year-old facility until June 1 due to lifeguards being trained on May 26. The community pool is located along North Fifth Street in the community park.

"The pool will open June 1," said Board President Beverly Hackenberg. "The hours will be determined at a later date for how long it will be open, after its determined by the certifications, if the kids (lifeguards) pass their certifications. Swimming lessons will be determined if there are a sufficient amount of lifeguards to get their WSI certification (Water Safety Instructor), because right now we have none that have their WSI. That is all contingent on how the pool is going to be open."

The pool needs at least 22 staff members, including 17 to 20 lifeguards to operate. The borough council on Tuesday hired seven lifeguards, two cashier/desk employees and an assistant park director, and hired a park director last month. There are 11 more applications to review and set up potential interviews, said Hackenberg.

If no one passes the test, Hackenberg said she "highly" doubts the pool will open.

"We've done the absolute best we can," said Councilman Matthew Wagner. "We've spent many hours researching this, reaching out to other pools on how they are doing it. We've done the best we can. I think, quite frankly, that Mifflinburg should be happy we've gotten as far as we've come."

Hackenberg said the process is "frustrating."

The special meeting brought out 12 concerned citizens, including Heidi Crisswell and Jeanette Musser.

"I'm not asking council to do more, I'm simply asking how as a community can we help you," said Crisswell. "After the executive session at the last meeting, I felt inspired and optimistic. Can we encourage our local business to support and sponsor the pool and programs at the pool? Can we offer pool passes for sponsorship opportunities? We can get bodies back in the pool, and we can make a sustainable solution."

Musser said the pool attracts people from outside Mifflinburg.

"Less community use of the pool is fewer people coming into town and spending money here," said Musser.

Having trained swimmers in the community is a big benefit, she said.

"It's not just an issue of whether you're going to have the pool open or the pool is open for the swim team, it's a quality of life issue for the community," said Musser. "It helps build a community."

She urged the council members to keep the pool open if even for a reduced operating schedule.

"I would urge you, if there's any way to keep it open, even for partial hours, to find a way to do that," said Musser. "A weekend pool is better than no pool. A five-hour-a-day pool is better than no pool."

Other community members said their teenage children are seeking their certifications from other community pools earlier than May 26. Council members encouraged those young people to apply for positions at Mifflinburg.

The pool, which was built in 1959, is projected to operate this year at a $72,800 loss, a common occurrence in the pool's history. Revenue is projected at $44,000 while expenses are projected at $116,800, according to Borough Manager Margaret Metzger.

The borough also hired Peter Bergonia as a consultant to provide pool consulting on a per diem basis. The price is still being negotiated.