With the Community Park's pool project already under way in Zelienople, organizers have shifted their focus to renovating the accompanying bathhouse.

ZELIENOPLE — With the Community Park's pool project already under way, organizers have shifted their focus to renovating the accompanying bathhouse.

The park is seeking donations to fund interior and exterior renovations of the bathhouse, to improve the look of the building and to make it accessible to families with children and those with disabilities.

“We want to make the bathhouse ADA accessible,” said Jen Semel, park board member. “What we're planning on doing is exterior renovation. We're still trying to fundraise so we can really do a nice job on the interior improvements.”

Organizers are hoping to raise $80,000 for the project, $30,000 of which has already been provided by Tom and Chris Murray, frequent benefactors of the park.

A longtime township resident, Tom Murray has been involved with the pool since it opened decades ago, working as one of its first lifeguards when he was 16.

“I decided once the pool project was announced and we had enough funds to get it going, 'Man, we can't have a great looking pool with a shabby looking bathhouse,'” he said. “We've gotten bids now and estimates and actually signed a contract for the exterior.”

Once it's completed, the bathhouse will feature new siding, stone facing on the front, new windows and a paint job in addition to the interior improvements.

“Everybody's working together on this, and I think it'll be wonderful for the community,” Murray said.

However, the park still needs to raise the remaining funds.

“We still need money ... we're selling bricks,” Murray said. “We'll take commercial donations too.”

Donors and park officials are hoping to complete the renovations by spring.

“We hope to get the entire project done by the opening (on) Memorial Day, 2019,” said Semel. “You will see exterior renovations beginning shortly. But we need to get fundraising.”

Murray said much of the work can't be done until the pool's concrete deck is poured, but that is expected to be completed by midfall.

“The project has not started because we have to wait for the pool deck to be poured. So it's a bunch of mud out there now,” he said. “It'll be ready for the pool season next May.”

Those interested in donating to the bathhouse project can send donations to the Zelienople Community Park, P.O. Box 402, Zelienople, PA 16063 with checks marked “bathhouse,” or log onto myzeliepark.org for other options, including engraved brick purchases.