The borough of Lansford has a 2017 budget of roughly $1.5 million. The cost of fixing its 76-year-old swimming pool is pegged at one-third that amount ($500,000), but, some estimates indicate it could be more than half the amount of the budget ($800,000).

Of course, the borough can't afford to take on this project by itself. Nor has it. A nonprofit organization, the Friends of the Lansford Pool, has been holding fundraisers and applying for grants to raise the necessary money to tackle this expensive project. The borough council this week agreed to seek a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant.The pool holds a lot of fond memories for residents and former residents from not only Lansford but from communities throughout the Panther Valley and surrounding communities. This writer is among them.The pool closed at the end of the 2015 season because of major water leaks.The Friends group has made application for a $500,000 grant from the Monroe County Local Share Account program. Because of its proximity to Mount Airy Casino, Carbon County communities can apply for money for projects that benefit their residents.The problem is that this casino grant program is in danger of being terminated or diminished because of a court ruling. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2016 upheld Mount Airy's lawsuit claiming that the Local Share Account is not applied uniformly among the state's 12 casinos, a requirement of the state constitution.The high court originally gave state legislators 120 days to pass corrective legislation, then granted an extension that expires in late May. Whether the Republican-controlled General Assembly can put together a bill that satisfies competing constituencies in time is problematic.Some Republican legislators want the revised Local Share Account bill to include money for other counties not contiguous to casinos. These legislators have dollar signs in their eyes and want to grab a piece of the pie for their constituents. If they succeed, it will mean fewer dollars for host and adjoining communities which bear the brunt of housing casinos.At a recent public hearing on the pool proposal, a contractor presented designs that would take care of the leak and update the pool to make it more attractive with more modern resort-style features. This way, the pool could attract more patrons from a wider geographic area and help bring in badly needed revenue to help offset the cost of upkeep and future maintenance.Brent Boyer, representing Aquatic Facility Design, which was hired by the borough to come up with renovation proposals, told those who attended the public hearing that these types of improvements will attract patrons who never frequented the pool.The firm needed borough approval to go ahead with its design and, in the process, create a feasibility study which is a prerequisite for seeking the much-needed grants that will be central to moving the pool project forward. It is hoped that the study, once completed, will attract major donors and corporate sponsors.Lansford Alive!, a group whose original members were inspired to create a positive force to help turn around the declining fortunes of what was once Carbon County's most populous community, is assisting with the grant process, too.We believe the key is for these groups to marshal their efforts on behalf of the pool project and other community improvements. According to President Nathan Halenar, the Friends of the Lansford Pool organization, which became a nonprofit organization last June, has raised close to $25,000 from fundraising events. This shows the dedication and determination the group has in making this project a reality. An online GoFundMe account begun by a supporter of the pool effort has raised close to $1,000, Halenar said.Just recently a soup sale was so successful that another will be held toward the end of this month. There are also plans for a golf tournament in June and a roast beef dinner.One bit of good news, Boyer said, is that the existing pool shell can be used rather than building a brand-new pool. A new system, which relies much less on underground piping, will be a major improvement intended to reduce the likelihood of similar issues in the future.We'd like to remind residents of other communities whose families have spent many enjoyable hours at the Lansford pool that they can donate to this effort as well.Halenar agreed that residents working together is the Panther Valley way and always has been. Halenar wants the pool to be an asset to the community for generations to come, and so do we.By BRUCE FRASSINELLI |

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