Myerstown Borough Cancels its 2020 Pool Season Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Myerstown, PA – Myerstown Borough has announced that the William L. Derr Community Pool will not open for the 2020 season due to challenges brought on by the COVID-19 health crisis. The pool traditionally opens Memorial Day Weekend and operates all summer until Labor Day Weekend.
According to Borough Manager Michael McKenna, “Our community pool is a licensed facility that must follow Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines. With Lebanon County currently under the Red Phase of the Governor’s COVID-19 Reopening Plan, we cannot open the facility to the public at this time.”
Along with health and regulatory concerns, there are also financial concerns that contributed to the Borough’s decision to cancel the pool season. “Borough Council has made a commitment to operate the community pool as an enterprise, meaning all expenses are covered with revenue from the operation of the facility, and not from tax dollars,” McKenna said. “A limited season with limited patrons means limited revenue. At this point, it is likely the pool would incur a financial loss, even if we were allowed a delayed opening.”
“We were looking forward to our fourth season with the new pool. It is a treasured asset that is loved by our community. Cancelling the season was an exceedingly difficult decision that not one person wanted to make, But it was the right decision.” Said Council President Bryan L. Rittle.
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About the William L. Derr Community Pool
The facility, which features three water slides, a rock-climbing wall, a zero-depth entry tot pool, zero-depth entry into the mail pool, a picnic pavilion wall and a beach volleyball court, was recently renovated in 2017 with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It is a treasured asset that is loved by our community.