Pools in West Newton, Sewickley Township delay openings

May 31—Two public pools in Westmoreland County are delayed in opening up to swimmers this year.

A renovation at the West Newton Community Pool and staffing and leak issues at Crabapple Community Pool in Sewickley Township prompted both to miss their typical opening dates around Memorial Day.

But officials in both locations said they plan to open their respective facilities this year.

"This is a major renovation and things have to be done right," said Nancy Molovich, president of the West Newton Community Pool's board of directors.

"We've had a bunch of hurdles this year," said Sewickley Township Supervisor Mark Petros.

In West Newton, the $100,000 project was being funded, in part, by a grant and American Rescue Plan money contributed from the borough, Molovich said. Pool passes and parties won't be sold until the pool opens, which could be in mid-June, she said.

Revenue from the pool operation could be put toward the shortfall for the renovation costs. Officials might put off some parts of the project until the fall to get the pool open, she said.

Details about the opening will be posted to the pool's official Facebook page.

The Crabapple Community Pool has a new manager but lifeguards and other staff are still needed, Petros said. Tests are also being done in the deep end to see if leaks have been fixed. If everything is OK, the pool could open in the next few weeks, he said.

"It's something that I want to keep part of our community," he said.

The township supervisors changed pool hours this year to noon to 7 p.m. Anyone interested in a job there can contact the township office at 724-446-7202 or visit sewickleytownship.org/parks-recreation/page/crabapple-community-pool to download an application.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .