A familiar summer hangout in Ardmore will take a break this season, writes Nick Vadala for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Ardmore Avenue Pool will be closed for the summer as construction begins on the new Ardmore Avenue Community Center.
The closure is tied to a $22 million redevelopment project funded in part by over $12 million from the American Rescue Act. To receive those federal dollars, the project must be completed by December 2026, prompting a tight construction timeline.
Demolition starts mid-April with the pool house as the first priority. Without those facilities, the pool can’t legally operate, per Pennsylvania’s Public Bathing Place Law. Attempts to bring in temporary shower trailers fell flat due to space limitations.
In the meantime, township residents are encouraged to join Belmont Hills Pool, about four miles away. Membership will be limited to Lower Merion and Narberth residents, with Narberth fees increasing by 6.5% due to expected crowding.
Seasonal workers from Ardmore Pool will be offered positions at Belmont Hills, and the township is exploring transportation options for Ardmore families. Updates will be shared via the Lower Merion Township website as the project moves forward.
Read more about the Ardmore pool in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
