BELLEFONTE — It has been two years of long, hot summers in Bellefonte without a community pool for residents to cool off in. But relief is on the horizon.
In need of major repairs, Kepler Pool in Governors Park recently received a big boost from a $181,125 state grant. The grant comes in the wake of a $1,210,213 grant issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources earlier in September.
The $181,125 grant was awarded to the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority, which is heading up the updates and rehabilitation to the facility. Anticipated improvements include renewing the bathhouse facility, 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.
Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre/Juniata/Mifflin/Huntingdon) announced the new state grant for the pool that serves their home communities on Sept. 20.
“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. “This additional funding will go to help getting this tremendous community asset opened as quickly as possible.”
The pool opened in 1971 and has long been a gathering space for community members. The facility is managed by the YMCA of Centre County and owned by the NVJRA, which consist of representatives from Bellefonte Borough and Benner, Spring and Walker townships. Since its inception, NVJRA has actively worked to apply for grants and gain local support to improve the pool.
In June, it was reported that $2.9 million was going to be needed for construction and engineering costs related to the pool. With the state funding, the group is working on gathering community support to keep the project moving forward.
Corman said he hopes the state grant will help keep the ball rolling.
“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.”
