Windber Rec plans safety work at pool, Wine Through the Park date
Children in Windber Recreation Park’s summer day camp program jump into the park pool
Children in the summer day camp program at Windber Recreation Park were splashing around in the park’s pool on the afternoon of July 1, 2024.
Windber Recreation Park visitors should see some safety improvements at the public pool area this season, thanks to a $165,269 grant the Windber Municipal Authority received last fall through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The three-part project includes 1) sanding and recoating the inside and outside of the flume on the big pool slide; 2) replacing the safety surface at the splash pad area; and 3) replacing the two “shotgun slides” at the deep end of the pool, said Matt Grohal, recreation director, in an email to the Daily American.
Pool safety upgrades will finish before pool opens for summer
“This is a huge shot in the arm for us,” Grohal said. “Anytime you are dealing with the public, safety is the No. 1 concern to keep our patrons safe when they are using our facilities. These three projects will ensure that when they are using the pool area at Windber Rec Park that our pool features are current and safe to enjoy.”
In April, the Windber Municipal Authority awarded the bid for the work on the big pool slide to SlideRenu Services at a cost of $33,879. The bid to replace the safety surface on the splash pad was awarded to Sports and Recreation Associates at a cost of $30,000, according to figures Grohal provided.
The authority hopes these two projects can be finished by May 24, which is opening day this year for the public pool, he said.
New pool slides may come this summer
A contract to replace the two “shotgun slides” has not been awarded to anyone as of early May, but the authority hopes to do so in the near future, Grohal said. The goal is to replace those slides sometime over the summer or once the pool closes for the season.
The grant money came from the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account Program, which distributes funding from state gaming revenues to eligible applicants for projects that improve the quality of life for citizens in their communities. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities and other agencies.
Wine through the Park tickets on sale
The Windber Municipal Authority’s spring wine-tasting event is taking place from 2-8 p.m. May 17 at Windber Recreation Park.
The annual event draws hundreds of people, who walk through the park to sample and purchase a variety of products from western Pennsylvania wineries, breweries and distilleries.
In addition to the opportunity to taste a variety of locally- and regionally produced spirits, the event features live music, catered foods to purchase, a basket raffle and craft and artist booths to shop for unique gift ideas, according to the event listing at the authority’s website.
Tickets for Wine Through the Park can be purchased in advance at the EventBrite website or in person at the Windber Community Building, 1605 Graham Avenue. Tickets can also be purchased at the park on the day of the event, Grohal said. For more information, call the Windber Borough Municipal Authority at 814-467-6696.
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