Friends of Dormont Pool
Thank you for visiting our web site
About us:
We began as a grassroots campaign to raise the necessary funds to help pay for short term repairs to open our community pool for the 2006 season. We then formed a nonprofit organization; Friends of Dormont Pool, Inc.
Our organization was established to help generate long term funding to make the major repairs needed to this Historic Landmark pool, as well as needed upgrades.
The pool was built in 1920 and has opened every summer since but due to years of neglect was in desperate need of work on both the pool and the bathhouse.
It was scheduled to close in 2006 and its future was in jeopardy. That's when we stepped in.
Phase One:
We successfully completed Phase One of our project, opening the pool on June 19, 2006, with an official Grand Reopening Ceremony held at the pool on June 24, 2006. This could not have been possible without the support of the great citizens of Dormont, the citizens of surrounding communities, and the donations from individuals from as far away as Canada, Arizona, and California. It is truly amazing to find so many people that have either swam in our pool or are familiar with Dormont's signature asset and one of Allegheny County's regional jewels.
Phase Two:
Meetings were held with the borough council and a long term plan for the permanent repair of the Dormont Pool and bath house were established. This project has the support of our state, county, and local government officials and as a result of everyone's hard work Dormont Borough has been able to secure grants totaling close to $650,000. Renovations started in March of 2008 focusing on the major structural repairs required in the bath house, filtration equipment, and decking.
Phase Three:
As of the spring of 2010 we are in Phase Three.
Repairs to the actual pool shell were scheduled and completed in 2009. Additionally, in 2009 our organization donated a check for $50,000 to Dormont Borough towards the pool and thanks to Verizon for donating Wi-Fi wireless Internet access in the pool area.
With your help, the following items were also completed:
- Painting of the benches along the great lawn on the side of the pool
- Purchase of a floating volleyball net
- A mural in the women's locker room that coincided with the 100th anniversary of Dormont Borough.
- Purchase of new heavy-duty picnic tables
- A new sound system
- Resurfacing of the 4-foot slide (to be completed at end of the 2010 season)
- Awnings for the pool
- Funding of the port-a-potties at the shallow end of the pool
- Direct assistance of the borough with a check for $5,000 to assist in direct operating costs
- Large planters
- Air pumps for rafts
- Adirondack lounge chairs
- Adding deep and shallow water features
- Permanent shallow end bathroom to replace the port-a-potties
- Establishment of a maintenance fund for the pool
We will continue our fund raising efforts with the county, state, private foundations and our borough council to establish a potential long term maintenance fund and begin to discuss the funding of any future enhancements to the facility. We also continue to work with the borough and our local politicians to secure needed funding, however we will continue to need your support as well to insure the project is a success. You can personally support our cause by attending our fund raisers, joining our easy to get along with organization at any level and by helping to lobby our local and state officials.
We greatly appreciate any help you may give us in saving this valuable community asset. We would appreciate your support in any number of ways which may include not only financial donations, but also assisting with events.
But most importantly - come out and enjoy the pool!
Please contact us if you have any questions or are interested in supporting Dormont Pool.
Respectfully,
Friends of Dormont Pool Board of Directors
John Maggio President
Tom Herman Vice-President
Sarann Fisher Treasurer
Patrick Flaherty Secretary
Meg Stanis
Colleen Lehman
Email us at: info@friendsofdormontpool.org