TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The kiddie pool at Kepler Community Pool is pictured in the foreground of this photo. The large pool is seen at rear. The pool complex recently received over $1 million in grant funding to rehabilitate the area.

BELLEFONTE — Kepler Community Pool has received over $1 million in grant funding.

The grant, awarded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will see the pool get $1,310,213 for rehabilitation and further development.

The pool, located at the Bellefonte YMCA, was closed for the 2022 season due to renovations.

Announcement of the funding came this week from Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre/Juanita/Mifflin/Huntingdon).

“This return of taxpayer investment in the Kepler Community Pool will go a long way to revitalize and renew this asset so important to the Bellefonte/Spring/Walker/Inter-Valley region,” Benninghoff said. “The Kepler Community Pool has historically been a tremendous gathering spot for our community’s families during the summer months and the quicker work can begin on needed improvements to the pool and surrounding facility, the quicker we can get this important community resource back to its full potential.”

According to the grant award, given to the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority, the funding will be used to make improvements to the bathhouse, concessions and parking area while also building a new wading pool and improving filtration, recreation systems and utilities. The pool will improve upon ADA-access opportunities, landscaping and signage.

“The Kepler Community Pool has been a staple of the community for more than 50 years,” Corman added. “I am thankful this funding will fix the structural deficiencies in the pool so future generations can enjoy it for many years to come.”

The grant money was awarded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as part of the 2022 Community Conservation Partnerships Program.