Citizens will present plan to save Manheim Community Pool on Dec. 10
When: Manheim Borough parks/pool committee meeting and council meeting, Nov. 12.
What happened: During the parks/pool committee meeting, Josh Griffith, a member of the citizens group spearheading efforts to revitalize the Manheim Community Pool, said the group is working with an architect and a cost estimator to create a concept plan for the pool complex, 504 Adele Ave., Manheim.
Why it matters: The pool has been closed to the public the past three years. The Manheim Summer Swim Team has used the lap pool for practices and swim meets. The team pays to use the pool and provides its own lifeguards. Before it can reopen, the complex needs at least $400,000 in repairs.
Money lost: The pool lost an average of $95,000 per year from 2015 to 2021, according to a report on the borough's website.
Discussion: The citizens group sought input from residents via an online survey, Griffith said. He said 600 people responded — about half were borough residents and the others were split between Penn and Rapho residents. Based on survey results, the committee has come up with a plan that would demolish the L-shaped pool and replace it with a pool with a smaller footprint, he said.
More: The citizens group also sought input from Aaron's Acres, which had used the L-shaped pool during its summer day camps in Manheim Veterans Memorial Park, Griffith said. Aaron's Acres provides programs for teens and young adults with disabilities. Aaron's Acres may be interested in partnering with the borough in renovating the pool, Griffith said.
Aaron's Acres: Risa Paskoff, Aaron's Acres executive director, wrote in a Nov. 13 email, "Aaron's Acres is interested in this project and if this project would meet our needs, we are willing to contribute funds. At this point, it is too early to disclose any amount as it is still in the pre-project phase".
What's next: The citizens group will present a concept plan with cost estimates at the Dec. 10 parks/pool committee meeting. Tentative start time is 5:30 p.m.
Council will take action on a preliminary 2025 budget Nov. 26 with final adoption Dec. 10, Borough Manager Joel Mutschler said.
Emergency medical service: Keith McMinn, Penn State Health director of Life Lion Services, discussed concerns about an increasing need for mutual aid service. Mutual aid occurs when a municipality's emergency service provider can't provide service and another provider is called. Penn State Life Lion has served as the borough's emergency services provider since January. When the level of mutual aid is high, it's time to reassess the situation, McMinn said.
Solutions: To help solve the issue, Life Lion plans to recruit additional EMTs and increase wages. Ambulances from Hershey will supplement Life Lion's ambulance in Manheim, he said. As a hospital-based service, Life Lion's ambulances transport patients when they're discharged from the hospital. Life Lion is considering contracting with an outside provider to help provide service, he said.
