An artist's rendering of the Zelienople Community Pool project was displayed during the groundbreaking.

ZELIENOPLE — Government officials and community members gathered at the Zelienople Community Pool Thursday to break ground on the park’s pool project.

The project has been years in the making and will cost upward of $1 million. It is expected to be completed in spring of 2019.

Tom Ford, director of the state Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, praised the community for its dedication to the project over the years.

“I can see there is a great passion for this park,” he said. “The best part of my job is when I get to come out and meet with you folks and see the passion and see the impact that we’re having.”

He said this showed in their fundraising efforts as well.

“We used the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund as the grant source for this project, and I need to tell you that it was among the larger grants that I’ve actually experienced while I’ve been at DCNR in the last 10 years,” Ford said of the $700,000 grant. “I’m sure you’re going to do really great things with it.”

A full story will appear in the Butler Eagle.