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Jul 02, 2023

YMCA holds grand reopening event for its pool

Jul 3, 2023 LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESSVolunteers offered free tours of the newly improved pool at the Lock Haven YMCA during its grand reopening event. Break out the swimwear, because the YMCA pool is

Jul 3, 2023

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESSVolunteers offered free tours of the newly improved pool at the Lock Haven YMCA during its grand reopening event.

Break out the swimwear, because the YMCA pool is finally back open to the public.

Initially closing down in March of 2020 due to the HVAC system breaking down, there was uncertainty in whether the pool would ever open back up again.

With COVID declining memberships and an estimated $280,000 bill attached to the repairs, the people of Lock Haven almost lost this staple of the community.

The Lock Haven YMCA advisory committee buckled down though and was not willing to give up without a fight.

They conducted a donor campaign to raise funds for the repairs — and the local community rose to the occasion, donating more than enough to get the pool up and running again.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESSChad Eberhart, CEO of River Valley Regional YMCA, addresses those gathered at the Lock Haven YMCA's official pool reopening event.

Now, after over three years of waiting, their hard work and dedication has come to fruition with the pool being up and running again.

This momentous occasion was celebrated last Friday with a pool reopening event for the donors and staff who made it all possible.

Tours were given of the renovated facility and the changes are instantly apparent, with a lovely fresh coat of paint letting people know that the pool is back and better than ever.

In honor of those who donated to make the project possible, there is also now a tiered list of donors alongside the pool, immortalizing their generous contributions.

The rest of the ceremony took place next door at The Fallon House, with speakers recognizing the importance of what they had accomplished.

YMCA District Executive Corinne Amrom addresses the crowd, thanking all those who helped make the pool reopening possible.LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS

LH YMCA Advisory Council Chair Ron Reynolds started the ceremony off with a quick welcome and appreciation for everyone’s dedication to the project.

He then brought up the significance of having the pool back up and running, reflecting on what was lost with its closure.

Members stopped exercising, senior members with arthritis could no longer maintain their fitness, Summer Swim Lessons were canceled and the Y’s entire aquatics team was affected.

“The YMCA is often known as America’s Swim Instructor,” said Reynolds. “The Y teaches people of all ages that ‘water should be fun, and not feared.'”

He also focused on what is to be done moving forward, with even more improvements ideally coming up for the Y.

Locker rooms, lighting, shower stalls, windows and the sauna are just a few of the renovations to the building coming in the future.

District Executive Director Corinne Amrom then took some time to recognize some of the larger donors of the project.

These included the Clinton County Government with a $100,000 donation, Clinton County Community Foundation with a $50,000 donation and Lock Haven City Council with a $31,047 donation.

Lastly, CEO of the River Valley Regional YMCA, Chad Eberhart spoke on what was gained through the project.

Over 100 new members had joined the Y since the pool’s opening and monthly usage was as high as 2000 throughout May.

Having accomplished a major milestone for the area, Eberhart concluded the event by stating that their intent is to continue to “ensure the Lock Haven YMCA can better serve the community moving forward,” and that he looks forward to seeing how the Y continues to give back to the people of Lock Haven.

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