Tamaqua’s Howard D. Buehler Memorial Swimming Pool has been around for decades, and officials plan to keep it open for a long time to come.

But a consultant hired by the borough says it is time to plan for the replacement of the current pool with a more modern facility.

“I’m not saying they can’t open it, but if you don’t start planning now for a new one, you’ll soon reach the point where you won’t be able to patch it enough to keep it open,” said Brent Boyer of Aquatic Facility Design, who recently completed a feasibility study into a pool renovation.

On Tuesday, residents got a first look at Aquatic Facilities Design’s study at the first of two public meetings scheduled to discuss it. The borough commissioned the study because it is needed in order to seek grants to refurbish the pool.

“We will use it as long as humanly possible,” said Councilwoman Mary Linkevich.

The study is needed so the borough can apply for state grants, borough officials said.

Boyer said that his study found that the current pool is at the end of its life span and needs to be replaced. The study recommended keeping the existing snack bar and pool house, with some renovations.

Boyer opened the presentation sharing photos of deteriorating walls inside the pool itself. The borough has been patching the holes, but Boyer said that rebuilding the walls would cost almost as much as putting in a new pool.

Council members and residents said they were surprised to hear that the study recommended replacing the pool rather than renovating it.

“We were shocked too that it needed that, we didn’t come here looking for that, and we take that very seriously,” Boyer said.

He said that on the bright side, it will give the town a chance to build a pool with modern features.

He presented two designs, which both total about $2.5 million. The designs have amenities like a beach entrance, climbing wall, and chaise lounges which would be submerged in about 9 inches of water.

Boyer said the current pool is unusually large compared to other municipal pools, and building a new pool with the footprint of the existing one would not be financially feasible.

The proposed pool would be 7,909 feet, with room for approximately 600 people. The current pool is more than 15,028 square feet, with capacity for more than 1,000 people.

In order to build a new pool, it would require closing the pool for at least one season, he said.

The proposal would do away with the current wading pool, and incorporate it into the shallow end of the pool, which would end in a ramp to simulate a beach.

The residents who attended said they favored a T-shaped design over a Z-shaped design.

The proposal has six lanes for swimming, one diving board, and the two existing slides.

Residents said they want to see more than one diving board.

“If you reduce it to one, you’re gonna have a line. A lot of us love to use it,” John Gorgone said.

Diane Neifert, asked what the project would look like if it cost $1 million. Boyer said they would only be able to build a pool about half the size of the current one.

The next step is another public meeting in April. From there, the borough will begin applying for state grants as well as private donations.

“It’s a big scary number, no question. But I can say right now with a good deal of confidence the borough is committed to doing everything it can to figure it out,” Council President David Mace said.

The next public meeting to discuss the pool feasibility study is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 2 at Tamaqua Borough Hall. .