News

Bids for the renovation of the pools have been advertised. A mandatory pre-construction meeting will be held with interested bidders on Wednesday, May 19th. Bids will be received and opened on June 3rd.

Crews from Franconia Township began demolition of the main bathhouse on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. The track excavator has been donated by C & S Landscape and is operated by Franconia Township personnel. Franconia Township has also brought in their loader to assist with the demolition. P. K. Moyer and Son is working with the municipalities in hauling the wood debris for disposal by Waste Management. Crews from Souderton Borough, Franconia Township and Telford Borough will continue to work on the demolition of the remaining filter houses and concession stand through the month. Crews will also be removing pool decking and the former tot pool in preparation for construction work to begin on renovating the pools in August.

"Councillor Jonathan Gardenier questioned the status of meetings with Telford Borough and Franconia Township concerning funding assistance for the pool project. The Borough Manager commented that our efforts have been focused on opening the current pool facility; now that this work has been completed we will move our attention towards planning for the future renovation of the pool complex and how best to approach our neighboring municipalities. Further discussion on this topic will be held at the Public Works Work Session on June 8th."

"Councillor Jonathan Gardenier questioned the status of scheduling a meeting with Telford Borough and Franconia Township to discuss the pool project. Borough Manager Michael Coll replied that a meeting with the neighboring municipalities has not been scheduled. Councillor Gardenier expressed concern with the delay in scheduling this meeting, since this is a project we need help with in order to move the project along to get the new facility up and running quickly. The Borough Manager noted that we are informing the public that the pool will be closed during the 2010 summer season. Assuming the Borough can begin planning this fall, we should be able to complete the renovations in time for the 2011 summer season. Councillor Gardenier questioned if the daily admission rates will be increased this season. The Borough Manager stated that they will not be increased. Councillor Gardenier also questioned if preparations will be made to have daily patron sign a waiver before they enter. The Borough Manager noted that we plan on developing a system to track the residence of the daily patrons. President John Young questioned if both neighboring municipalities supported the DCNR grant application for the pool project. The Borough Manager reported that both municipalities have expressed support of the application and we also received the endorsement of Senator Greenleaf who represents Franconia Township. Councillor Brian Goshow commented that he believes a meeting with the neighboring municipalities will be premature at this point. Borough Council should discuss the proposed project in detail and become comfortable with the scope and direction of the project."

"The [PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources] grant application proposes $250,000 in funding assistance to rehabilitate the upper or main swimming pool according to the recommendations in the Feasibility Study Report as completed by Wade Associates. The total project cost to rehabilitate this main pool is $1,300,000, with the balance funded through potential contributions and a general obligation loan. Recommended rehabilitation work on the competitive pool has been estimated at over $700,000.

"Councillor Jonathan Gardenier questioned the status of scheduling a meeting with Telford Borough and Franconia Township to discuss the pool project. Borough Manager Michael Coll replied that a meeting with the neighboring municipalities has not been confirmed. He expects to have membership statistics fully tabulated for the April work session. The Borough Manager also confirmed that pool memberships will go on sale the week of April 20th and the membership rates have been increased an average of $25.00 over last year.

"Mayor John Reynolds questioned whether success of the DCNR grant application for the Souderton Community Pool Rehabilitation project would mandate the Borough to move forward with the project. Borough Manager Michael Coll replied that the Borough will have the option to decline the award should financing or other factors dictate that the project be dropped from consideration."

"Borough Manager Michael Coll presented the committee members with membership statistics for the Souderton Community Pool over the past two seasons. On average 522 memberships are sold with 209 or 40% coming from Souderton Borough; 69 or 13% coming from Telford Borough; 160 or 31% coming from Franconia Township and 84 or 16 % coming from a combination of twelve neighboring municipalities. Current rates only generate $64,000, which will have to be more than doubled to support a rehabilitated pool facility. As previously noted, we have not kept statistics on daily admissions, but will tract daily admissions through this season."

"The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural resources have announced the opening of grant applications for recreation construction projects. Applications are due on or before Wednesday, April 22, 2009. The application must be reviewed by DCNR staff and endorsed by Resolution of Souderton Borough Council prior to submission. A recommendation was made to apply for construction funds for a specific portion of the swimming pool rehabilitation project as outlined by Wade Associates. This is a very competitive grant program and the realistic maximum grant award for this round is estimated at $250,000."

"Committee members discussed the next steps in moving forward with renovations to the Community Swimming Pool complex as suggested in the Wade Feasibility Study. Jeff Gross, Brian Goshow and Katherine Grubb volunteered to establish the agenda and chair a meeting with elected officials from Franconia Township and Telford Borough to discuss possible support from the municipalities towards the pool reconstruction project. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18th at the Souderton Municipal Building. Copies of the Wade report were distributed to Telford Borough and Franconia Township last week."

"Committee members discussed the next steps in moving forward with renovations to the Community Swimming Pool complex as suggested in the Wade Feasibility Study. Grant applications were recently submitted through the Offices of Representative Robert Godshall and Senator Charles McIlhinney for funding assistance to complete planning and design. Franconia Township and Telford Borough will be contracted to arrange a meeting to discuss a potential partnership. The Borough Manager also attended a recent Rotary Club Meeting to discuss various programs and issues facing the Borough, which included a discussion on the potential renovation of the pool."