The closing of the Freeport Area Community Swimming Pool is an unfortunate development for the individuals and swim teams who used it, as well as the beginning swimmers who planned to sign up for classes in the summer. A community's quality of life isn't enhanced when such an action becomes necessary.

But with the decision to close having been made, it is logical to reflect on what precipitated the move and ponder whether reversing the decision is possible. Unfortunately, the pool is a victim of deterioration that should have been addressed five or 10 years ago, when evolving problems could have been dealt with more easily, at less cost and possibly without such an unfortunate conclusion.

While the pool's fate has resulted in part because it is not classified as a muncipal pool - the pool is privately operated by a pool board of directors but for the past two years has been open to the public by way of season and daily passes - those in charge can be faulted for keeping the pool private for too long and, at the same time, failing to fix small problems before they became serious.

All considered, it is possible that those in charge have failed to exercise all options for improving the pool's financial and operational fortunes. Unless all potential community, county and regional funding sources were approached for help and guidance, the pool board hasn't worked hard enough on the facility's behalf.

Gregg McQueen, pool board president, said "nobody wants to get involved" as he lamented that the board has dropped to seven volunteer members and that only 12 people showed up for a Dec. 2 meeting regarding the pool's fate. He reflected on two nearby municipalities' refusal five years ago to help pay for pool repairs.

The two municipalities, Buffalo Township in Butler County and South Buffalo Township in Armstrong County, rejected sending money out of those municipalities, while Freeport Borough agreed to participate in the plan that would have involved formation of a recreation commission encompassing the participating municipalities.

The pool's biggest problem is the deterioration that has evolved over the years. It is a situation that could have been averted with routine maintenance that instead was not forthcoming.

It is understandable why communities outside Freeport, at this juncture, would be reluctant to become involved in an extensive, expensive undertaking not of their making, especially since the problems originated with a private group. Needed repairs are estimated to cost $500,000 to $600,000.

McQueen said the steel-walled pool is rusting and that the filter house is about to collapse. He also said the roof leaks on a building that houses the kitchen and showers.

The minimal response to the Dec. 2 meeting should have been expected. Interest in an outdoor pool is not high in December.

Even if for now the decision to close the pool remains intact, pool officials should initiate new efforts to build support - volunteer and otherwise - for saving it, including making new contacts with surrounding municipalities.

It is premature to pronounce the pool dead when there still are options available, however remote, as well as time for resolving the dilemma more in the community's best interests.

- J.R.K.