Party to raise funds for pool
ZELIENOPLE — With her 50th birthday approaching, Diane White decided she wanted to do something besides a traditional celebration.
“I decided to do a feel-good thing, something good for the community,” White said.
When she read about the Community Park Association’s plan to raise funds to build a new swimming pool to replace the old one, she came up with the idea of having a fundraising party.
It is planned for 6:30 p.m. April 10 at the American Legion Post No. 747 in the borough.
White and a group of friends who are organizing it are selling 225 tickets and are seeking sponsorships from businesses. They have a goal of raising $5,000 for the new pool.
The party will feature music, food, dancing and a reverse raffle with cash prizes.
White, a life-long resident of Zelienople, said the pool is a community asset that everyone should pull together to keep.
“I think it’s important to keep long-term infrastructure like the pool in place to continue to attract community members to the borough,” she said.
People like the small-town atmosphere at the pool, she said.
Her memories of the pool include learning to swim from instructor Wils Colley, who taught hundreds of children.
As a mother, she often took her two children to the pool for birthday parties or to swim.
Barb Brizendine of the park association board said the new pool committee is working on a grant application to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The committee has yet to start seeking private donations.
However, word about the pool project has spread, and some people have already offered money. One resident donated $1,000 while a business contributed $4,000.
The early donations show the willingness and excitement in the community and could help convince the state to give the borough a grant, Brizendine said.
“I think it’s great. The funds will get into the right account, and we’re going to need seed money. There are permits to get into place and other expenses before any grant money comes in,” she said.
The pool, which was built in 1957, is deteriorating and needs to be replaced in the next few years at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.
Tickets and information are available at both Mathew Jewelers locations or by calling 724-272-5279.
