MARS — The Mars swimming pool has sold for about $191,000 with the profits being distributed to three borough organizations.

The pool board in December decided to close the pool, which opened in 1962, due to a lack of memberships, increased operating costs and required repairs.

Nichole Fromlak, who was the treasurer of the pool board before it closed, said about $150,000 from the sale was paid to Mars National Bank. The amount was owed on a loan the board took out a few years ago to build a new multipurpose room.

Knowing the sale of the 4.5 acres and pool would earn a profit, the board sent surveys to the pool’s members asking which nonprofit organizations the extra funds should benefit.

The Mars Public Library, the Mars Historical Society, and the Adams Area Fire District were the top vote getters in the survey, Fromlak said.

“We’re still sad,” Fromlak said of the pool’s closing and sale. “We hope whoever bought it is going to try to make it a public pool again soon. I’ll be the first one to sign up.”

J.R. Ellis, a neighbor of the pool property on Stanton Avenue Extension, bought it. Ellis could not be reached for comment this morning.

John Watson, president of the Mars Historical Society, said the neighbor had been a caretaker at the pool in the past and hopes to reopen it in some form.

Watson said the historical society received $7,000 from the sale. He said the funds will be used to build a waiting pavilion next to the small train at the historical society property on Irvine Street.

“We are greatly appreciative of it,” Watson said of the unexpected bequest. “Unfortunately, it had to come from the closing of the pool.”

Jason Safreed, president of the fire district, said the $6,200 the district received will go into the general fund to buy equipment.

“We thank (the pool members) tremendously for thinking of us for some of that money,” Safreed said. “We’re sad that the pool closed, but we’re definitely glad they thought of us.”

Vince Gadrix, director of the library, said the library received $6,298.

“It wasn’t something we were expecting,” Gadrix said. “It was great because we know they’ve been there for many decades and were a great service to the community.

“We appreciate them keeping us in mind because we see ourselves as being a valuable community resource too.”

Gadrix said while no decision has been made, the money could go toward a new children’s technology program at the library.

“We will use the money to serve the community much in the way they did,” Gadrix said.

He noted the library’s weekly story time was held at the pool in 2014, and about 15 children attended each week.

The asking price for the pool property, which includes a three-room building with a fireplace and four bathrooms, was $215,000.