State grant to help fund projects at West Middlesex pool

May 20—WEST MIDDLESEX — Local officials are pooling their resources — including a recently-awarded state grant — to fund some improvements at the community pool in West Middlesex, including a planned heater.

Officially known as the Lackawannock-Shenango-West Middlesex Community Pool, the pool is owned by the three municipalities and administered by the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments.

The pool's operating budget for this season is already in place, but a steering committee is collecting funds specifically earmarked for pool improvements.

West Middlesex Mayor Stacey Curry said those efforts received a significant boost earlier this month, with the announcement of a $75,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

"This was the best news that could have happened," Curry said of the grant, which was endorsed by state Sen. Michele Brooks of Jamestown, R-50th.

Curry oversees the steering committee, which is comprised of two representatives from each municipality. Curry also serves as West Middlesex's head of parks and recreation.

The committee has already collected $30,000 in CARES Act funds, with $10,000 provided by each of the three municipalities, and $20,000 from Mercer County's Economic Development Capital Reserve Fund.

Using those funds, the committee has pursued a few lower-cost improvements, including a new slushy machine for the pool's concession stand, a privacy fence and new lifeguard equipment, Curry said.

With the $75,000 grant officially awarded, the committee will move forward with buying a gas heater for the pool.

Since a new heater was estimated at around $30,000, Curry said the project depended on the state grant being secured first.

COG Recreation Director Brian Foster said the heater will not be used to turn the community pool into a "hot tub," but rather to help maintain the pool's temperature.

The industry standard temperature for pool water is around 82 to 84 degrees. Last year, the pool's water was usually 10 or so degrees below that at the beginning and end of the season, Foster said.

"If we have cold nights or inclement weather, the pool needs a few days of sunny weather to heat the water back up," Foster said.

Foster said estimates on gas costs ranged from $250 to $500 per month, and that he would have the steering committee budget a certain amount each month for gas.

If the summer brings warmer weather and the heater is not operated very often, the pool could save some money on gas, he said.

Pool management also fixed water leak earlier this year. That repair is expected to save about $2,800 in water costs. Some of those savings could be directed toward gas costs as necessary.

West Middlesex Borough Council is seeking bids for the heater project. Bids are expected to be opened on June 12, Curry said.

Once the contract is awarded, it may take some time for the heater to be installed, since many pool service providers are already busy with pool preparation, opening or maintenance work at this time of year, Foster said.

If a provider is able to install the heater soon after receiving the contract, the installation process is not expected to interfere with the pool's operations, Foster and Curry said.

The heater would make the community pool the only heated public pool in Mercer County, they said.

In the meantime, the steering committee is continuing to look at other possible improvements, such as new chairs or a possible pavilion to provide shade.

Curry said the community, including area businesses and residents, continue to be supportive of the pool, and she encourages families to visit the pool this summer.

"We just want to let everybody know that you are welcome to the pool, no matter whatever town you're from," Curry said. "It's not just people from our town who use the pool, it's people from Farrell, Hermitage, Ohio — from all over the place."

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.