A community survey to determine the future of the Palmerton Pool is underway.

The borough, along with the Palmerton Memorial Park Association, are working with MKSD Architects in the Lehigh Valley and Counsilman-Hunsaker, a national firm that specializes in aquatic projects, to provide a comprehensive study to aid in understanding the current condition and future options for the pool.

The community survey will help position the borough and PMPA to seek future funding to renovate and improve the pool complex.

The survey has been posted on the borough’s Facebook page. Questions for people include:

• How many times per summer they usually visit the Palmerton Pool.

• What their favorite aspect of visiting the Palmerton Pool is during the summer.

• Rank their interest in several types of aquatic programs.

• What amenities are most important.

• To rate the Palmerton Pool’s support amenities on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest and 3 being the highest.

• If the Palmerton Pool were to be renovated or replaced and included new features, if they would be willing to pay higher daily admission or season pass rates.

• Improvements needed to the entry building, restrooms, parking or the amount of shade at the Palmerton Pool.

• How far they live from the Palmerton Pool.

• The ages of the people in their household.

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield explained the significance of the study.

“This is the next step of the feasibility study, and we are just looking for residents to provide their feedback on what they think the future of the pool should look like,” Canfield said. “We are planning for renovations and want to make sure we are doing what’s best for the community.

“We urge people to get their opinions, and put them in the survey so we know which way to move forward.”

The MKSD study is not to exceed $59,820, as the borough has $60,000 from a grant through DCNR.

Canfield said the PMPA previously approached council for a partnership of two grants with council through DCNR.

Both of the grants were received.

She said one is a planning grant for a feasibility study of the property leased by PMPA, which will be used as a planning document.

The other is the peer grant with DCNR providing funding to assist in the cost of a professional to update the lease the borough has with PMPA.

The PMPA is a nonprofit created for the benefit of the residents of the Palmerton area in memory of veterans who served in the military during World War I and World War II. Completed in 1947, the PMPA facilities consist of a swimming complex with a 90-foot by 225-foot swimming pool and baby wading pool, associated bathhouse with office and refreshment stand, a small pavilion, a picnic grove with a large pavilion, and a wooded nature trail surrounding the facility on 18 acres of woodland.

Clare Papay, volunteer board member of the PMPA, said the borough owns the pool and leases it to the association.

Papay said the feasibility study will provide a physical/structural assessment of the pool, bath house, concession stand, parking and access for the disabled.

She added they anticipate that the completed feasibility study will enable them to apply for grant funding in the near future for rehabilitation and development of the swimming pool complex.

The Peer-to-Peer Technical Assistance Project helps municipalities improve their park, recreation and conservation services through a collaborative process.

The grant award is $15,000, with a $1,500 match requirement that was split equally between the borough and the PMPA. The borough’s half of the match requirement was paid for by a donation from Councilman Richard Nothstein.

The Community Conservation Partnerships Program allows for a planning project for a Swimming Pool Feasibility Study.

The grant is $30,000, with a 30% match requirement that is being paid with funds from the PMPA.