SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — After four years without a public pool at one of Lackawanna County's largest parks, the Scranton City Council is now pushing to install two public pools.
At Thursday night's meeting, City Council members voted on one of two pool layouts designed by a Philadelphia-based architecture firm that would include more than just one pool being built here at Neogue Park. There are two included.
Councilors say the two-pool design has merit and they hope the mayor agrees.
When it comes to pools at Ne Aug Park in Scranton, two are better than one.
Scranton City Council members are looking to bring swimming back to the park with the addition of two new separate pools. One is a lap pool for adults and the other is designed for children with an attached splash pad.
“I think there are a lot of really good things about this layout. I think it allows parents to roam freely, and I think it allows people who are a little older to do what they like without having to worry about hitting their kids. And it provides a safe, designed area for the kids,” said Charlie Valdez, a student at the University of Scranton.
Council members agree that the two-pool option is the right choice, in part because it allows one to be open at any given time.
“The two-pool option allows us to keep one pool open even if the other pool needs to be closed and repaired,” said Scranton City Council President William King. said.
It now depends on Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti's approval, but before she does, some City Council members are asking whether it's possible to add two more lanes to the lap pool and I would like to see how much it would cost.
“I would like to know what the additional cost would be to add two lanes to make it an eight-lane lap pool, as a swim team or swim club may want to rent it early in the morning for practice. '' King explained.
The larger pool space is convenient for use by local high school and college teams. There are also plans to rent it out during times when it is not in general use.
Local university students say they plan to make the most of the pool once it's completed.
“It's certainly a possibility. It's never a bad thing to give a little bit of benefit to the community,” said Sean Campbell, a student at the University of Scranton.
“I'm a good swimmer, so I'll probably participate. If you're going to stand for something, you have to see it for yourself. There's nothing better than experiencing it for yourself,” said Scranton. said college student Charlie Valdez.
Without additional lanes in the lap pool, construction costs are expected to exceed $6 million.
King said Scranton city officials will soon send a letter to Mayor Cognetti.
