HARRISBURG – City of Harrisburg is proposing to use approximately $13 Million Dollars of American Rescue Plan Funds to renovate and rebuild the City’s two Aquatic Facilities. Mayor Eric Papenfuse will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 14th, at the Hall Manor Pool to announce the proposed designs and solicit public feedback.

The City is seeking community input with a survey that can be completed online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HarrisburgPools. Hard copies of the survey are also available at MLK City Government Center (10 N 2nd St) and at the park’s office (100 Concert Drive.) In addition, the Parks & Rec Team will be at the South Side Fiesta on Saturday, October 23rd at Hall Manor where residents can also complete the survey in person.

“The City’s pools, which were built in the aftermath of the 1960s racial unrest in Harrisburg and have already survived long past their expected lifetimes,” said Mayor Papenfuse, “play an important role in serving a community disproportionately and deeply affected by the Covid-19 crisis.  Whether it is providing recreational opportunities for our youth, summer jobs for our residents, or safe spaces for families, we need them now more than ever.  And thanks to the $23,536,812.50 American Rescue Plan funds received earlier this year, we finally have a means of reconstructing them for a modern age.”

Pending City Council’s approval during the budget process later this year, construction is slated to begin in 2022 with one pool being renovated at a time over three years to ensure for continual use.  Importantly, admission will be free for City residents throughout the construction period and for at least the first year once the new pools open.

“We want access available to all of our residents – regardless of their financial situation,” said Mayor Papenfuse.  “This proposal, coupled with the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program we will be announcing shortly, ensures that ARP funding will help those in Harrisburg that are most in need of assistance.” For more information, contact Melissa Mesones-Ortiz at 717-526-8800.