On the heels of a banner year, the Lehighton Area Pool Pals are ready to turn the page and embark on another successful chapter.

Mark Hoffman, chairman of Lehighton Area Pool Pals, said there were two major goals established and realized this year.

They included the construction of the Trinity Lutheran Church Community Pavilion, and the launch of the Linda Schoenberger Memorial Swim Fund.

Hoffman said the pavilion was accomplished with the generous donations from many churches, businesses, corporations and patrons of the pool along with the partnership of the borough.

All those who donated a minimum of $250 toward the construction of the pavilion will have their name or name of their business proudly displayed on a cast aluminum plaque that will be mounted and displayed for the 2022 swimming season.

“The new pavilion will provide another option for those wishing to host a celebration party at the pool,” Hoffman said. “Pavilion rentals have proved to be very popular, and with the addition of the third pavilion, the hope is that no one will need to be turned down.”

Hoffman said the pavilion will allow patrons of the pool to duck out of the sun for a period of time when the pavilion is not rented for a party.

He said the final piece of the puzzle for the pavilion will be to furnish it with tables. Anyone who would like to make a donation toward a table may contact any Pool Pal member or the director of the pool, Tom Evans. Hoffman said tables can make an excellent memorial gift or Christmas gift idea, and can have the name of the contributor or name of the person being memorialized/honored placed on the table.

Memorial swim fund

Hoffman said an equally gratifying accomplishment for the Pool Pals this year was the launch of the Linda Schoenberger Memorial Swim Fund.

He said the fund was established to honor the loving and ever-giving life of lifetime Pool Pal member Linda Schoenberger.

“The fund will allow those families of our community who may be struggling financially, a chance to enjoy the many benefits our beautiful community pool has to offer,” Hoffman said. “A separate committee was created within the Pool Pal organization, and their first task was to create guidelines to follow to make sure the money donated to this fund is awarded fairly to those families who will benefit the most.”

Financial status is one of the criteria used, along with making sure those receiving the family pass would be using the pool’s facilities on a frequent basis.

“The Pool Pals are excited to manage this fund, which they hope will grow, allowing more and more families to benefit,” he said. “Anyone wishing to contribute to the Linda Schoenberger memorial swim fund can contact any Pool Pal member.”

Any family who feels they would meet the criteria for a free family pass, may go to the Pool Pal website at Lehightonareapoolpals.org, or stop in at Perfect Balance Boutique, 170 S. Third St., Lehighton, to request a paper form. Forms must be submitted before April 1.

Pool Pals encourages families who plan to purchase a season pass to take advantage of the discount period, which ends February 2022.

Anyone who purchases a season pass before being notified they are the recipient of a free family pass from the Linda Schoenberger Memorial Swim Fund, would be reimbursed for their purchase.

He said family passes can be purchased for $220 on the borough website at www.lehightonborough.com through the end of February 2022.

“The summer of 2021 was a banner year for the pool with a record number of season passes sold,” he said. “The Pool Pals are looking forward to an even better summer of 2022 at the pool.”