Commission looks into swimming pool future

The Scott Township Board of Commissioners on Tuesday formed a committee to look into options regarding opening the township pool in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee consists of coparks and recreation directors Steph McFerron and Kelli Watson, township Manager Denise Fitzgerald and Commissioners Eileen Meyers and Angela Wateska, who has a master’s degree in public health and epidemiology.

Ms. Fitzgerald said it takes about $383,000 to operate the pool for a season.

At a previous meeting, the board discussed shuttering the pool for the year, but Ms. Meyers said that discussion took place while the county was still in the red phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan for reopening the state.

“I think in a couple weeks, God willing, we should move into the green, so I think we should really rethink this and maybe open at the end of June or the first of July if all goes well and we are in the green,” Ms. Meyers said.

Commissioner Tom Castello asked if the township had enough cleaning supplies to safely open the pool. Ms. Fitzgerald said cleaning supplies such as electrostatic sprayers are on back order with a three-week lead time.

The board did approve the purchase of an electro-static sprayer at a cost of $999 as well as several automatic hand sanitizer stands at a cost of $2,074.

Ms. Fitzgerald said in order for the park facilities and the pool to reopen, the township is required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to disinfect all surfaces after they’ve been touched.

Additionally, if the pool were to open, the township would have to hire staff to monitor social distancing at the pool itself and the restrooms because lifeguards are responsible solely for monitoring water safety.

Officials said other precautions could involve closing the concession stand, slides and other high-contact areas. And those coming to the pool would have to bring their own chairs.

“I think we should start moving forward,” with opening the pool, Mr. Castello said. “People are just begging to have this opportunity.”

Mr. Castello said that if the township were to open, “I think we should be very strict,” adding if people don’t follow the rules, they are warned — and after a second infraction, they will be removed from the pool.

Ms. Meyers suggested if the pool does open, only Scott residents or those accompanied by a resident would be allowed access.

“I just think we have to be very careful,” Mr. Wells said. “It’s one thing to say the pool’s going to be closed. It’s another thing to tell a parent their child died or that a grandparent died.”

Commission President Dave Calabira added, “To me, this has been a tough time for everybody, but this brought families so close. You’re staying with your own family. If they can’t enjoy that, and all they want to do is come and open up a pool — I’m sorry that’s not the priority.”

Resident Andi Lamatrice, who commented during the meeting, suggested opening up the pool to Scott residents only, charging more for pool passes and having having attendees sign up ahead of time for a spot. She also suggested having folks sign waivers before they enter the pool.

“There has to come a point when you start to come back to normal,” she said.

The board is expected to decide the matter at its June 9 meeting.