This summer, Kepler Pool is empty.

The pool is in a state of disrepair. However, that will be changing.

Soon, a project will be underway to rehabilitate Kepler Pool. The pool, which opened in 1971, began to break down several years ago. This year, the patchwork and Band-Aids finally gave out and the time has come for major renovations and repairs.

The pool is managed by the YMCA of Centre County and owned by the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority. The process has begun to secure funding that will pay for costly repairs at the pool.

PHOTO PROVIDED Kepler Pool is shown as present, left, and in an artist’s rendering following renovations.

Chris Haak, chairman of the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority, explained that a portion of the funding to repair the pool will from a state grant.

“Our grant through the state has been reviewed by DCNR this summer. They came back with some updates and we’re in the process of getting those rectified,” Haak said. “Hopefully, that will be timely and then we can put this out to bid. We plan on having it out to bid in just three to four weeks.”

If all goes as planned, Kepler Pool will be filled with swimmers once again.

“We’re still aiming for re-opening next summer,” Haak said.

Haak said that the authority is expected to receive $330,000 from the state, which was contingent upon getting matching funds from the NVJRC’s four municipalities — Bellefonte Borough, Spring Township, Benner Township and Walker Township.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS A worn signboard at Kepler Pool explains some of the history of the pool’s namesake, Robert Kepler.

All told, NVJRC will have around $660,000 for the core re-build.

“The state has been excellent to work with,” Haak said.

Because of the age of Kepler Pool, patchwork repair could no longer be done, Haak said.

“We really had to determine the quality of the wall behind the liner, no just taking core samples. We were faced with the situation that for the last few years, we faced some major mechanical issues. We were really at the point where we had to make a decision. We had to make sure we could do this,” Haak said.

Simply put, if the funding wasn’t there, the pool may have had to close for good.

“We’re dealing with 50-year-old mechanicals in there,” Haak noted.

So, at the end of the 2020 pool season, the pool was closed. Then, the liner was pulled away and the pool was assessed.

Once the funding arrives work will begin on a new-and-improved Kepler Pool.

“Our goal with this is not just to fix the walls of Kepler Pool and put water back in it. Our goal really was — and is — to really improve the facility overall. It’s not going to be the same old Kepler Pool with just a main swimming area. We’re going to have great amenities and it’s going to be a great setup there,” Haak said.

Haak said that once “shovels hit the ground,” the plan will go into motion.

“We’re getting real close now,” Haak said. “We’re hopeful work will begin this fall.”

Kepler Pool will have a new look when it re-opens in 2022. There will be a six-lane competition pool, a spiral sliding board, a diving board, a climbing wall (deep end of the pool), wading pool with fountains, a shade area with lounge chairs at the end of the wading pool for parents, a toy stingray and a toy lobster. Additionally, both pools will have zero entry ramps.

Haak hopes that the rebuild is just the start of big things.

“We really want to maintain this and enhance this along the way. One of our main goals once we get rolling with our main project here …we’re really hoping to start a sister non-profit organization … a 501(c)3,” Haak said.

According to Haak, the non-profit would help fund potential changes to the bathhouse and lifeguard facilities as well as the concession stand. If all goes well, Kepler Pool could have a “splash pad” in its future.

“That’s something we would love to put in,” Haak said.

The main pool and wading pool will have their own filtration systems. A splash pad would also have its own filtration system. It could easily be built into the facility.

“We’re really hoping that we’ve designed this intelligently where we can add on these additional features, add on these additional projects as they come along,” Haak said. “We want this to be something special for the community. We want this to be something that lasts for decades.”