Ground broken for pool project
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.”
State Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, echoed these sentiments as he recounted his experiences at the pool and congratulated the community.
“I remember coming here as a kid,” he said. “It was kind of a reward after a long hot day of throwing hay bails.”
Vogel thanked the donors for their generosity.
“It’s a huge amount of money to match,” he said. “It’s no small task.”
Drew Matthew, Zelienople council vice president, recognized the borough parks board members for their efforts in making the project a reality.
“I want to thank you guys for putting this all together,” he said. “Without you guys we wouldn’t be where we’re at.”
He also thanked Jackson Township for being a partner sponsor with the borough.
“They came aboard with the borough and hopefully we can get the other municipalities to do the same thing,” he said. “It’s been great.”
