The planned closure of the Shaler Area School District (SASD) pool is more than a school district decision — it is a regional loss. For decades, this indoor pool has been one of the few accessible, year‑round aquatic facilities serving Shaler, Etna, Reserve and Millvale. Its disappearance would leave a serious gap in youth development, public health, senior wellness and community connection.
Pools are essential infrastructure. They teach life‑saving skills, support physical education, provide low‑impact exercise for seniors, enable therapy and safety training, and offer a gathering place for residents of all ages. When a community loses a pool, it loses opportunity and belonging.
Our family sees this impact firsthand. My son, a seventh-grader at Shaler Area, recently wrote about how swimming shapes his identity — and how losing the SASD pool worries him. As a competitive swim club athlete with hopes of joining the varsity team, the pool is where he has built confidence, routine and community. That alone speaks to its value.
The future of the pool cannot be viewed solely through the lens of school district budgets. This is a regional infrastructure challenge that demands collaboration among SASD, the municipalities of Shaler, Etna, Reserve and Millvale, private donors, and corporate partners.
Communities thrive when they invest in shared spaces. The SASD pool has strengthened ours for generations. We should not allow it to disappear.
Seth Mowrey
Shaler