After nearly 38 years in business, 2010 may be the last year the Bally Community Swimming Pool opens its gates.

                The pool, located at 425 Chestnut Street, was constructed in the late 1960s as a private swimming club.  It was donated to Bally borough in 1972 by its shareholders and has been in business ever since as a recreational area for residents of the borough as well as surrounding areas.

                The pool and filtration system have undergone extensive refurbishing over the past four years. All costs needed for the operation of the pool are paid from user fee.  No tax dollars are spent on the pool’s operation.

                At their Tuesday night meeting, council discussed the numerous repairs that need to be done in the upcoming year, including having the diving board replaced, purchasing new safety equipment, replacing a water pump, and locating a water leak to be fixed in one of the underground pipes.

                The total cost of repairs and for replacements is estimated at $14,277.

                Along with the additional expense of repairs, the fact that pool memberships are reportedly decreasing each year has council members doubting the future of the pool.

                “We are in a no-win situation,” Councilman Tom Leister stated.

                Council needs to fix the pool before they open it for this year. So far they have decided to spend the $4,300 for a new aluminum diving board to replace the current board, which is cracked.

                Pool Manager and Council member Denise Sobjak discussed possible advertising to bring awareness of the pool to increase membership. She explained that not everyone in Bally’s surrounding areas know that you do not need to be a Bally resident to use their pool.

                Sobjak and Andrea Delo, the borough’s secretary/treasurer, discussed different advertising options, such as banners, flyers, and ads in local newspapers.

                “We don’t want to lose this pool,” Delo said.

                Membership forms are available at the borough building, which is located next to the pool and Community Park. For a Bally borough family of five, a family membership is $200, compared to a non-Bally resident family of five for $250. A single person membership for a Bally resident is $100, while a non-Bally resident single is $120. There are also day rates of $5 per person, per day for adults, $4 for children and $1 for seniors.

                In other news, council discussed Police Chief Joseph Viola’s decision to begin a bike patrol, starting in April. Viola and Officer Casey Paras will be certified in May to successfully operate as a bike patrol.

                The bike patrol came about because residents requested more visibility of their police officers. The bike patrol will give the officers more exposure, according to council.

                In other police news, council approved the $30,000 purchase of an unmarked Dodge Charger to be used for police business. The police force reportedly felt they would benefit more from an unmarked car.

                The expected delivery for the car is in four to six months, after it is outfitted with the necessary police equipment.

                The next borough council meeting is scheduled for April 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the borough building on Chestnut Street.