The Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association is ready for the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority to take over, but NLRA says slow down.

“We have recently been asked to take over the operation of the pool,” said David Schnaars, the president of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority. “Before we take it over, we wanted to be assured by you folks and Washington Township that your support of the NLRA will continue, at least at the present levels.”

Schnaars asked the Slatington Borough Council Monday night if they intend to continue their donation to the pool association. The council was convened for a special meeting to discuss the preliminary budget.

For years, the borough has supplied the water for the pool, bought the chlorine, and provided a monetary donation.

Schnaars said the recreation authority thinks they will be able to operate the pool “pretty much break even basis,” after seeing its financial information.

“It’s very critical that we be assured of your continued support of the pool and of the authority,” Schnaars said.

The NLRA isn’t relying solely on help from the municipalities. It plans to have a pledge drive next year generate revenue. Schnaars said it also sold the community center to a Mason organization with a stipulation in the sales agreement to allow the NLRA use of part of the building with no rental fee.

“We will be able to save a little bit there, because we won’t be paying out rent for all of the different activities,” Schnaars said. “I think we have proved, over the last few years, the value of the authority. Things have happened that haven’t happened before.”

Borough manager Dan Stevens said, “I can tell you in the preliminary budget, the funding is the same as it was for the NLRA.”

The preliminary budget listed $1,000 as the borough’s donation to the pool association. Stevens said the chlorine is also figured into the borough’s donation.

As for the water, Stevens said, “We voted in 2011 to supply water until further notice.”

Mayor Jeralyn Schoch said she thought that once a pool manager is hired, that person would take over purchase of the pool chemicals.

“We’re not there yet,” Schnaars said.

Next on the list is Washington Township.

Schnaars said he hopes to get Washington Township to commit to supporting the pool, as well as Walnutport. He would like to see Walnutport join the recreation authority via an ordinance.

“They’ve been in and out twice now,” he said. “Their participation has not been reliable.”

As far as if the pool association will become a branch of the NLRA, Schnaars said it is likely.

“From what we’ve seen so far, it looks viable,” he said.

The Slatington pool has been closed since 2020 due in part to the pandemic, but mostly because the plaster lining on the bottom of the pool was chipping off.

Through assistance from state Rep. Zach Mako and state Sen. Pat Browne, the pool association received a $250,000 grant to help pay for repairs.

The legislators announced in October that they were able to secure another $150,000 to complete the repairs and renovations to the pool.

“The pool plays an important role in this community,” Browne said in the news release in October. “I am proud to have worked with Rep. Mako to ensure that the Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association has the funding necessary to reopen the pool in time for warmer weather next year.”

Mako said, “This pool not only provides recreational opportunities to area residents, but also allows people to cool off on a hot day. The shuttering of this pool has been a hardship. (This) announcement is sure to bring better days.”

Katherine Herzog, the treasurer of the Northern Lehigh Pool Association, thanked the legislators for their help in the October announcement.

“This funding will not only allow for us to reopen, but to stay open so we can once again serve this community,” Herzog said.