The Public Opinion Soapbox

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 120 Location: Chambersburg

Chambersburg Borough has a lot of capital improvement projects on its plate, and officials began talking this week about economic realities that may force them to prioritize some projects, and put others on hiatus.
One of those projects is renovations to the pool in the borough’s Municipal Park. We think the pool represents a vital community asset that should be placed atop the borough’s wish list.
But we also want to know what you think. We set up a poll on our Web site at www.publicopiniononline.com. Take a moment and enter a vote, and we will report the results at a later date.
We also published a copy of this notice on our community forums at http://publicopiniononline.phpbbweb.com/ where readers may discuss their experiences with the pool.
Finally, we plan to round up the best of the online comments on the story and reprint them. We hope these efforts will provide some feedback to the local officials.
— By Matthew Major, editorial editor

Peter J. Donohue · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Maple Run Estates

A borough resident, I write in support of a new Chambersburg Municipal Park swimming pool complex. The current aged and rapidly deteriorating pool is a vital part of our community’s life. I recently ‘retired’ my New York State and National Qualified Pool Operator licenses. With these as credentials and as an ardent user of the pool, it is obvious to me that the pool has been kept operating by band aide fixes to the credit of those responsible for its maintenance and operation. I don’t think I could have done a better job. Nor do I think future band aide fixes will provide the integrity and safety of the pool the community wants and users deserve. After forty some years of community use and enjoyment, it is time to replace it.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2174 Location: shippensburg

i think the casd should give 4 million for it, like they want to the ymca.

jk, jk.....

sorry....the y and casd is a sore subject for me still....

Charles Q. Smith · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

When Chambersburg first built its Municipal Park and Swimming Pool I was elated and proud. We most likely have the finest facilities for a town our size in Pennsylvania. But I say we should hold the line on these new suggestions for a $ 4 million, $ $6 million or $ 10 million pool rebuild. With the need for a new police station and the general economic outlook for our citizens we just can not afford the luxury of a new pool. I have had a pool for 30 years and with proper maintenance it is just fine. I suggest the borough spend whatever is needed to repair and properly maintain our current pool. We do not need to create a Kings Dominion pool with sliding boards and water spouts and wading ponds. All we need is a safe place for kids to swim and dive and socialize. We have that now.
I'm shocked that Boro Council would even consider such proposals or waste money on consultant's fees. I vote NO on any pool rebuild.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2174 Location: shippensburg

amen, charles.

and on that note, why not roll that 10 mil into fixing our streets (as per one of our other forum topics as to why our roads are in such bad shape)...or save it (god forbid!)....this isn't the time to do frivolous upgrades (rumor has it there IS a war out there and i don't know, seems to me 10 mil to fix a pool in a war economy isn't the smartest of ideas)

and really....how many ppl actually go to the pool to justify major upgrades? pfft...most have their own i have a feeling (those odd blue blow up ones are everywhere).....maintain what's there and save some bucks.

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

Now here is a cause I can back!

The Municipal Pool is the center piece of our park. It is a beautiful, heavily used by Chambersburg citizens. Many people from other venues see what a beautifil facility we have as they visit while attending ball games/tournaments, family reunions, fireworks, etc. We should be proud. Now comes the time when the whole park is a bit "tired" and needs a facelift. The pool needs more than a "facelift". It has been cared for as best we could but the time has come to "pay the piper". If we let it go or(god forbid) fill it in, that leaves a terrible blight in the center of our park. Remember it is the only large outdoor public facility in our town. There are other parks that have bits and pieces of the same elements, but here it is altogether. When you condemn one house, and no one cares, it usually is not long until the other houses fall into the same condition. If we do not repair the pool, it will be the beginning of the end. We do not have much to begin with. Let's not condemn what little we have.

The pool is open only 3 months of the year. Sometimes that makes it hard to swallow. It DOES take in a fair amount ot money in those short 3 months. Most of the other areas of the park take in little or nothing at all, and that is fine. This is what our tax dollars are for. I know we need road work, etc. The pool has been pushed past it's prime and needs done now. I have driven over some of the same potholes on the same streets for so long that I don't even feel them anymore! I do not believe if we don't fix the pool that my streets are going to be immediately paved.

Unlike the YMCA, this facility is open to everyone for the price of admossion, not a hefty membership price and admission! The folks in the borough pay somewhat less than the people in the townships. I have no problem with that. ANYONE can go to the Municipal Pool! Anyone! Good outdoor, happy, healthy fun! and for those that say terrible things go on, that goes on everywhere. The management/lifeguards run a pretty tight ship.

With so little else for our children to do in our local area, let's not take the pool away from our families. It needs to be saved!

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2174 Location: shippensburg

i don't think they mean to fill it in, i just think that some of us see it as excess spenditure during a wartime economy.....so, continued maintence is good...but, it does seem a wee bit frivolous during our current economic trends. when ppl are having issues buying toiletries (re: the one article about ppl not having enough for it and agencies asking for donations) it seems that it could be held off on for a bit.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2174 Location: shippensburg

sidenote...it is a good place for ppl to go to...so, don't get me wrong, i support the municiple, just am hesitant as to the price and the timing during our economy