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EDCO pool project closer with funding

EVANS CITY — A much-needed $600,000 renovation project at the EDCO Park pool is tentatively on the horizon.

Gary Pinkerton, the Butler County parks and recreation director, said the EDCO Park Authority received two county grants that will provide the matching funds for a $300,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and National Resources.

Part of the local match includes a $127,000 state grant earmarked for improving handicap entry into the pool, which would be achieved by installing a gradual ramp entrance into the pool where the baby pool is now. The entrance would lead into the main pool, according to the project drawings.

Another part of the local match is an $85,000 state grant to be used to make the bathhouse handicap accessible.

John Rogers, the EDCO Authority president, said in addition to the new, accessible pool entrance, the entire pool would be renovated including new concrete.

Rogers hopes the $88,000 deficit in the matching funds will be raised through a corporate or business sponsor who would receive naming rights at the pool.

He said the EDCO Foundation's nonprofit status would allow such a donation to be tax deductible.

“Then we could close the deal,” Rogers said.

He said the EDCO Authority also will strenuously fundraise until the decision is made on approving the DCNR grant.

Pinkerton said the DCNR Grant funds are available and will not be delayed by the state budget difficulties.

“We are hoping, now that the budget passed for DCNR funds, that we should receive a yes or no sometime no later than late October or the first part of November,” Pinkerton said.

Construction could then begin in the fall of 2017 and be completed by the spring of 2018, he said.

“We would not miss a pool season,” Pinkerton said.

He said while the Cranberry Township and Alameda pools are destination pools with water features, EDCO pool is an important part of the Evans City community.

“I certainly feel the neighborhood pools are very important,” Pinkerton said.

He said the pool can attract homebuyers to a community, is within walking distance for young people and families, and a great way for adults to meet neighbors and make friends.

“In today's world, other than waving to your neighbors, many times you've never spoken to them,” Pinkerton said.

Pinkerton also praised the improvements at EDCO Park, including a new basketball court surface, new safety surfaces on the playground, and several Eagle Scout projects over the past few years that have provided a fire pit, benches, a sandbox, and horseshoe and cornhole areas.

Borough council President Lee Dyer said the council is largely unable to help the EDCO authority financially because funds are tight.

Dyer agreed with Pinkerton regarding the pool's value in the borough.

“You have to have someplace as a gathering point in town, and the pool and park are that gathering point,” Dyer said.

He praised the efforts of the EDCO volunteers over the years and their work for the park.

“That group of folks works very, very hard to keep that a good viable place for the kids to go and I'm very hopeful that they're successful in keeping it viable,” Dyer said. “We wish them a great deal of success.”

Those interested in donating toward or sponsoring the pool project can contact the EDCO authority by calling the pool during swim hours, through the Facebook page or on the website, www.evanscity.us.

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