Mermaid Swim Club in Blue Bell on its last lap

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Whitpain Township Supervisors discussed options for Mermaid Swim Club at a Board Meeting last week. (Image courtesy Mermaid Swim Club)
By Mark Schiele
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Montgomery County could be getting ready to say goodbye to the Mermaid Lake Swim Club from its longtime home of 50-plus years at 1002 Jolly Road in Blue Bell.
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Whitpain Township Supervisors discussed options for the property at a Board Meeting last week. The property was recently sold by the original owners to Metropolitan Development Group. The new owners subsequently submitted a conditional use application to build 53 detached single-family homes on the property.
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At the meeting the Supervisors discussed their intent to purchase all or a portion of the Mermaid Tract for recreational purposes, instead of seeing it get developed. Township officials are considering adding additional ball fields, trails, and playing courts.
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Mermaid, which is a popular area swim club, features a 1-million gallon pool and a 9-hole golf course.
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Whitpain officials had been in touch with the previous owner – Mermaid Lake Inc. – in early June, but became aware of the sale on June 13 when Code Enforcement Officer Mike McAndrew received a conditional use application from Metropolitan to develop the land.
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McAndrew and his staff are reviewing the application to ensure it is compliant with all township regulations. The township said that even with the addition of a new park recently, there is still demand for additional playing fields for baseball, softball, soccer and other sports.
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Attempts to reach Mermaid officials on Tuesday were unsuccessful. The township plans to meet with representatives from Metropolitan and says it’s committed to the possible acquisition of all – or a portion of the Mermaid Tract – to enhance recreational opportunities for the community.
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Montgomery County lost the Markley Farms Swim Club in West Norriton in 2011 and that land is currently under development.
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To read our story about Markley Farms click here.
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