After two years of inactivity, the large pool at Linton Middle School is back in business.
School district leaders gathered at the pool for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 11.
The project cost the district just under $650,000 out of the capital funds budget.
School board President Erin Vecchio reminisced about her time as a Penn Hills student and how she would use the pool as well.
“We want the kids to learn. We want the kids to be able to have a safe environment and enjoy themselves and enjoy that pool,” Vecchio said.
She said the pool’s completion was one of the district’s goals for the year.
The pool had been inoperable because of maintenance issues and repairs since the spring of 2022. During the closure, the Penn Hills swim team hosted home meets at the Olympic Swim & Health Club.
The pool underwent upgrades and repairs over the past few months, including new decking and pool drains, a complete ceramic tile update, a new filtration system and a new pool heater.
Fixes are underway for the small pool at Linton, which had closed alongside the large pool.
It is getting new drains, a custom liner and new decking.
School board Vice President Jackie Blakey-Tate said local first responders and fire departments also will be using the area to train for rescues.
The district plans to rent the pool to outside groups such as senior living homes and for swim lessons, Vecchio added.
“It’s really a positive move for our community,” Blakey-Tate said.