LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Lock Haven YMCA Associate Executive Director Beth Bartlett stands in the shallow end of the now emptied pool. Issues with the pool’s HVAC system and its Pool Pak resulted in the pool’s closure in June 2020.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS
Lock Haven YMCA Associate Executive Director Beth Bartlett gestures to the Pool Pak system that keeps the environment of the pool balanced. Due to issues with the Pak’s HVAC system and other problems, the pool was forced to close until a new system can be installed.

LOCK HAVEN — The River Valley Regional Lock Haven YMCA’s swimming pool is in need of major repairs.

Since June of 2020 the facility’s pool has been closed due to issues with its Pool Pak.

The Pool Pak, located in the basement of the facility, houses the HVAC system which purifies air quality outside the pool, controls the temperature of the water and the filtration system. The price tag to replace the system is a hefty one at approximately $280,000.

“It’s not your normal system,” RVR CEO Chad Eberhart said.

Eberhart explained that the system needs to dehumidify the space at a large rate.

“One, for the users to have good air quality and two, to preserve the life of the facility and the structure,” he continued. “It’s kind of a very complex system which is why the price tag is so large compared to a normal HVAC system you’d have in a gym or room.”

Replacing the HVAC system in the Pool Pak is the largest purchase the Y is expected to pay to update its pool. The total cost of the renovations are estimated at $1.3 million, said Executive Director Corinne Amrom.

Amrom said replacing the system is phase one of a multi-tiered repair plan.

“That’s what is making the pool inoperable,” she said.

Other phases include retiling the space, fresh paint, repairing cracks in the masonry and other more general repairs, she continued.

“Then there’s also improving locker room accessibility, making the pool more accessible with a pool chair lift and some other things to make it more user friendly,” Amrom said.

The Y has had a pool for decades. The current pool and Pool Pak were installed in 1994 following the construction of the levee.

Since then, minor repairs have been made to help extend the life of the pool, including to the Pool Pak.

The Y’s pool has been a popular destination for many of its members and the community over the years.

Associate Executive Director Beth Bartlett said on any given day between 75 to 80 people used the pool.

“We have done things with the scuba club. They have used it in the past. The Camp Cadet folks have used it for the cadets as a fun day,” she said. “We’ve had Keystone Central use it for their 4th and 5th grade graduation parties.”

Th Y’s swim team also conducted practice at the facility and they rent the space for parties.

“The impact that the pool has on the community — from our kids enrolled in child care, to the programs that we offer starting at water babies, to our senior classes — it’s felt community wide. It’s affecting everybody,” Bartlett said.

Eberhart emphasized an important part the pool plays in the community.

“I think the true challenge here is that we don’t have the ability to ensure that kids are learning how to swim. And in a river town, if somebody isn’t teaching kids how to swim or at least water safety that becomes a community safety issue,” he said. “We want to get this back up and running as soon as possible to make it happen.”

Amrom said the YMCA hopes to raise $270,000 by the fall and reopen the pool by January 2022. All of which will be dependent on fundraisers and donations.

The YMCA received a grant of $31,487 from the Clinton County Community Foundation toward repairs to the pool, contingent upon the organization receiving at least $218,512.80 during the calendar year of 2021.

Those who may want to help with their campaign in any way can do so by contacting Amrom at corinnea@rvrymca.org.