Lansford Borough will open the gates to its community pool later this month and allow the public to see the problems that led to its permanent closure.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio, who heads the parks and recreation committee, said the pool complex will be open April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“It’s for anyone that wants to come down and take a look at it and (we can) answer any questions that you have,” she said Tuesday night.

Borough council decided against a new pool in 2023 due to the $3 million price tag and fears that the financially strapped community couldn’t afford the long-term maintenance and upkeep of a pool.

The borough instead decided to pursue a splash pad for summer recreation at Ashton Park, and continues to wait on a grant to move that project forward.

Several residents voiced opposition to allowing people to tour the pool complex, which they saw as a hazard and liability for the borough.

“I think the idea of going down to the pool is to clear up these misconceptions that people have that the pool is fixable or that the pool is usable,” Council President Bruce Markovich said.

“I think they need to see the damage,” he said.

Resident Lenny Kovach said that there has been plenty of attention in the media over the years, and people should know and understand that pool is done. He suggested filling in the pool, sooner rather than later.

Councilman Joseph Butrie suggested filling in the pool early last month and providing an area for children to play and additional recreation.

Others agreed, saying that additional playground equipment or a pavilion would serve the community well.

“What we’re trying to do is prove to people that yes, it’s done, and we have to move on,” Councilwoman Michele Bartek said.

Markovich believes the borough should wait to see the outcome of a grant for a splash pad before moving on filling in the pool. The borough should know later this year if it was successful or not.

No passes for PV

Tamaqua Borough will not be providing discounted pool passes for those living in the Panther Valley School District, which it has done since Lansford’s pool closed.

“Tamaqua Borough has reneged on the pool passes for Panther Valley School District people,” Collevechio said. “They thought about it and decided against it.”

People living in Lansford and the other Panther Valley communities can join the H.D. Buehler Memorial Pool in Tamaqua at the out-of-town rates, she said.

Collevechio had announced last month that discounted passes were available, noted the shortened swim season for new pool construction in Tamaqua and thanked the borough for honoring the discount.

She also had forms for the pool pass applications for “2025 Lansford Pool Memberships” available for residents at the borough building.

Collevechio said that she received a phone call since making the announcement, saying that borough would not be offering the discounts this year.