Making Waves: Funding Needed to Revitalize Mill Hall’s Beloved Community Pool
By Emily Wright
MILL HALL— In the lower part of Clinton County lies a cherished summer spot for locals and visitors alike: the Community Pool at Mill Hall Park. Built in the early 1970s and standing as the only outdoor public pool in its region, this aquatic landmark has seen generations enjoy its waters. However, the pool’s deteriorating condition now calls for a revival, and leading the charge with tenacity are Mill Hall Borough Mayor Tom Bossert and Clinton County Community Advisory Committee members Lenny Long and Bob Dwyer.
“The dolphins,” as the trio jokingly call themselves, are spearheading a fundraising campaign to secure the necessary funds to renovate the pool, and their vision is to transform it into a modern aquatic facility that will serve the entire community.
Their journey began three years ago with the establishment of the Clinton County Recreation Committee by County Commissioner Jeff Snyder. Lenny Long and Bob Dwyer joined the committee and continue to serve as active members. Inspired by improvements to public pools in Centre County that he observed and drawing on his background in Parks and Recreation education at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, Long teamed up with Dwyer and Mayor Bossert.
United by a shared vision, Long, Dwyer, and Mayor Bossert have committed to restoring the pool by gathering community support similar to what was seen during its initial construction. Mayor Bossert explained that the pool was originally funded through a grant that was matched by community contributions from across Clinton County. “We’re attempting to do that again,” he said.
Their drive has already yielded significant successes so far. The Clinton County Community Foundation recently approved a $50,000 grant for the project, and prior to that, the Clinton County Commissioners funded a $33,000 feasibility study to get the renovation project started.
The Community Pool at Mill Hall Park is the only public outdoor pool in the lower part of Clinton County and it has been a staple of community life for decades, but after over 50 years of use, its age is showing. The feasibility study revealed that while the pool’s foundation is sound, it still needs significant repairs and upgrades, including a new filtration system, an all-new skimmer system, repairs to the decaying pool deck, and improved accessibility features.
The pool remained closed for the summer of 2024 because of its deteriorating condition, coupled with the substantial cost of $25,000 to $50,000 needed to repair and piece together the pool to make it operational. For Mill Hall Borough, the pool had become a significant budget item, costing $80,000 to $100,000 annually for operation, including hiring a manager, lifeguard, and chemicals.
Thanks to a $952,000 matching grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the path to renewal is becoming clearer, but the clock is ticking. If Mill Hall Borough isn’t able to match the DCNR grant by 2026, it will lose the funds it was awarded. So far, the borough has raised around $350,000 from donors, equating to about 35% of the amount needed to match the grant. To gather the remaining funds, “the dolphins” are calling on the collective spirit of Clinton County’s businesses, organizations, and community members to dive into their fundraising efforts.
The pool renovation project has evolved into a community-wide effort, with Central Mountain High School (CMHS) swim teams joining the fundraising efforts. Additionally, CMHS art students have contributed by creating a fundraising thermometer, which is displayed on the back of the press box at the Mill Hall Little League baseball field and is visible to drivers passing by on SR-150.
The pool’s renovation and construction costs are projected to ring in at just over $2M, and the clock ticks down to the skimmers skimming and divers diving into the revitalized facility. “If we’re not successful at raising that $952,000, we won’t be able to construct the pool, and that would be a tragedy,” Mayor Bossert said. If the pool can’t be reconstructed, it will need to be demolished.
When asked about the vision for the pool, Long and Dwyer outlined plans to transform it into an aquatic facility with more activities. Planned upgrades include installing a new skimmer system, updated filtration and chlorination equipment, and an 18-inch wading pool. Additional improvements will involve applying non-skid treatments to the deck, enhancing ADA accessibility, installing a sprinkler system, providing more shaded areas, and adding a diving board and two slides. “Our hope is that it’s very appealing to those passing by, and we want it to have more things to do,” Long shared. Once the renovations are completed, the pool will meet official competitive length standards and feature new starting blocks and six lanes.
Despite significant progress, much remains to be done. “I would encourage people to look at this as a county-wide project,” Bob Dwyer emphasizes, encouraging wide-reaching contributions and collaborations to tackle the project, which is too large for Mill Hall Borough to fund on its own.
Tax-deductible donations and legacy opportunities are available for those interested in helping revitalize this cherished community amenity. While “The Dolphins” are actively seeking corporate sponsorships and private donations to meet their fundraising goal, they want the community to know that contributions for the pool project qualify under the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) offered through the Department of Economic Development (DCED).
NAP supports community projects throughout Pennsylvania by fostering partnerships between private, nonprofit, and public sectors. The program encourages businesses to contribute financially to initiatives like renovating the Community Pool at Mill Hall Park by offering a significant incentive: tax credits. Businesses can receive up to 65%-95% in tax credits for their donations through NAP, which helps local businesses to help the community as a whole. For more information about the program, prospective donors can read more online by visiting dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/.
Long, Dwyer, and Bossert are hopeful that construction will begin this spring, and they are determined to prevent the potential loss of this aquatic cornerstone. Those who wish to ensure that the Community Pool at Mill Hall Park continues to provide entertainment for many more years to come are encouraged to contact the Mill Hall Borough office by calling 570-726-4008.
