The Lansford borough pool will not open this year because of limited funds and needed repairs.

A consultant hired by borough council announced the news to dozens of residents at a meeting called by borough council member Rose Mary Cannon, who heads the borough recreation board.

The pool's facilities are outdated to the point where it is not financially feasible to repair them, according to Randy Galiotto of Wade Associates, the borough's consultant.

The pool has been kept open on a shoestring budget thanks to pool staff and even private residents who provided maintenance for several years.

But with Galiotto's help they plan to seek grant money to fund a full renovation.

The packed public meeting showed how much the pool means not only to Lansford, but the other boroughs of the Panther Valley.

For full story, see Wednesday's Times News.