Township Goal: Help Support Hellertown Pool

One of Lower Saucon Township's long-term financial goals, as outlined at a recent township council meeting, is to help provide financial support for the Hellertown Community Pool by including funding in the township's annual budget.

The idea of doing that was described as a goal in the context of a discussion about a five-year (2014-2018) capital budget plan for the township.

In nearly 75 years of operation, the Hellertown Pool has never received financial support from Lower Saucon Township, in spite of the fact that many of its patrons have traditionally been township residents, it was acknowledged.

“Historically it has always been a 50 percent patronage by our residents," township financial director Cathy Gorman told council.

Gorman said she was unsure what the total number of township residents using the pool on an annual basis is.

The Hellertown Pool has required or received several costly upgrades in recent years.

In September 2004, it was nearly destroyed by flood waters that raged in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. Federal EMA money helped pay for its eventual repair, but it was closed for the entire 2005 season.

In 2012 a splash pad area for children was installed, and in June 2013, the installation of a new liner at the pool delayed its opening by nearly two weeks.

Photo: Hellertown Community Pool (Patch file photo)