Springdale Township's Bouquet Park Pool to close, property will be sold - TribLIVE

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Bouquet Park Pool in Springdale Township is closing for good, according to the park’s board members.

The pool’s board posted on Facebook that the organization would soon be dissolved and the property is being put up for sale.

“I promise you that the current board did everything that could be done to save it before covid-19 hit,” the post reads.

The nonprofit, membership-based community pool has been operational for more than 50 years. But it has been struggling financially for a long time, repeatedly coming up short when it comes to garnering enough memberships to pay for expenses. In 2019, the pool struggled to gather enough board members to manage duties.

The covid-19 pandemic brought health and safety concerns that prompted widespread closure of pools throughout the region. People were forced to stay home and avoid public gatherings, something that proved too much for Bouquet Park to weather. The pool closed indefinitely in March 2020.

After a year of closure and little fundraising, Kellie Vergerio, president of the pool’s board, said the organization has become overwhelmed with debt.

“We’re even farther in the hole now than we were a year ago,” Vergerio said Monday.

Ahead of the 2020 season, the pool didn’t reach its membership drive goal of gaining 200 members — but it got close enough to open, with 150 members. The organization expected to receive a grant to help with expenses. But when the pandemic caused widespread closures, the grant money was allocated elsewhere, Vergerio said, and memberships were refunded.

Still, the pool has accrued expenses — taxes, insurance, maintenance and more. Board members have been cutting the grass themselves and doing what they can to keep the place presentable in an effort to cut costs, according to board treasurer Richard Kern.

“The pool board members have been donating their time, their labor for decades now to keep it open,” Kern said. “This community just cannot support the pool.”

Kern did not wish to disclose the asking price for the property but said money from the sale will be used to pay off the pool’s debts.

“The idea is we want to have enough funds to cover the debts that we have and the legal costs for dissolving,” Kern said. “The thought is that the property would be sufficient to do that if we act relatively quickly.”

Board secretary Brad Swink said community pools are on the decline nationally.

“It’s really sad,” Swink said. “Small communities like ours just don’t have the financial wherewithal to maintain them. In order to maintain our pool over 12 months costs approximately $85,000.”

Vergerio said the organization would welcome a new board — anyone who believes they could somehow save the pool after years of financial and organizational struggles.

“I grew up with that pool,” Vergerio said — as her parents had before her. “It was a very hard decision to make, but without good financial backing, I couldn’t see a way of saving it.”

Springdale Township Board President Anthony Rozzano said he’s sad to see the pool close.

“Losing the swimming pool will leave a void in the community for sure. However, a lot of good things are happening in Springdale Township,” Rozzano said. “We’re redoing both of our parks and adding new rides, new playground equipment for the kids and having concerts. So, I think there’s going to be a lot for families and children to do here in the Valley in the next year or so.”

Rozzano ruled out the possibility of adding a spray park or some other water attraction to make up for the loss of the pool.

“The cost is astronomically high to do that, because you can’t recycle water,” he said. “It has to be all fresh water constantly running. It’s a great idea to have something like that, but it’s not cost effective.”

Categories: Local | Valley News Dispatch