Due to many unforeseen issues with this year’s repair, the Palmerton Pool will not open this weekend as originally expected.

In a letter posted on its Facebook page to members and supporters of the pool on behalf of the board of directors of the Palmerton Memorial Park Association, it was noted that the pool is now anticipated to open at noon June 5.

“As most of you are aware, in the off season between 2019 and 2020, we had a contractor come in to repair the large crack in the center of the pool,” said the letter signed by Vic Jahelka, president. “That repair was enough to make it through the 2020 season, but was determined to have failed and needed additional repairs. We once again began this process immediately after the swimming season ended and assumed we would have no problem opening on Memorial Day weekend for the 2021 season.”

However, that won’t be the case, Jahelka said.

“We have been in constant communication with the contractor completing the repairs and the manufacturer of the repair products to have it all corrected,” Jahelka said. “Up until this past weekend, we were still hopeful that we would be open for Memorial Day weekend.”

As of Tuesday, they still needed a few large diameter piping supplies from the manufacturer; the rubberless coating on the crack to “cure” so they can fit the remainder of the pool; and a few days to fill the pool to a safe/usable level (currently the pool is filled to just below the crack).

“We are also working with a contractor on major improvements/repairs to the wading pool structure,” Jahelka said. “We are hopeful that all of these repairs will be completed soon, too.”

Jahelka said the group was sorry for the late notice.

“I do apologize for the late notification of this information, but we have been optimistic that we could meet the Memorial Day deadline,” Jahelka said. “To all of our disappointment, we ran into more issues than we could overcome.”

Jahelka said the group hopes to see everyone on June 5, and added that if there are any more updates, they will be communicated.

He said optional preseason pass pickup hours (for new members) are still scheduled for today through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. Additional hours have been added for Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Sunday (1-5 p.m.) and Tuesday and Thursday (4-8 p.m.).

Many people posted their thoughts on the pool’s delayed open, some who were disappointed, and others who said they understood.

Stephanie Messinger suggested “maybe at the end of this season fix the problems so next year there are no delays.”

“For me it doesn’t matter, but for others it’s upsetting,” Messinger said. “This way the problems will be addressed. Also pool will be opened on time.”

Elizabeth Temprovich noted that she paid for a full season pass, and that “waiting on parts doesn’t sound promising.”

“My kid and I have been counting this down,” Temprovich said. “I was going to go (twice) this weekend.”

Clare Papay thanked the group for being upfront.

“I hear you’ve been working really hard to get this addressed,” Papay said. “Thanks for the update.”

Meredith Morris Mead said the weather really isn’t all that promising this weekend to begin with.

“Pretty much everything is delayed in being able (to) obtain supplies,” she said. “The weather this weekend isn’t good pool weather anyway.”