'Dormont called': Pittsburgh residents may be able to use Dormont's pool soon

The sunny skies and 88-degree weather Tuesday made for a perfect day for swimming.

But in Pittsburgh, 10 of the city’s 18 pools are closed this year because of staffing and maintenance issues. It’s something that’s dogged council members through the Dog Days of summer.

During the final city council meeting before its summer recess, Councilman Anthony Coghill brought welcome news: “Dormont called,” he said.

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The South Hills borough has one of the largest pools in the region and it heard about Pittsburgh’s struggles to open its pools. Officials from Pittsburgh and Dormont will meet this week to finalize allowing Pittsburgh residents to use Dormont’s pool with vouchers.

They’re allowed to use the pool now, at the $7 daily rate, but the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is working with their counterparts in Dormont to allow Pittsburgh residents access to the pool without paying that fee, Coghill said.

City residents can buy season passes or use city-owned pools for $3 for youth under 15 or $5 for adults. The idea is to let those with passes issued by the city to use them or for other city residents to pay Pittsburgh’s rate.

“We’re extremely flexible. We’re trying to help out the city,” Dormont manager Benjamin Estell said. “We certainly welcome the opportunity to help our neighbors.”

Once the details are worked out, the city’s residents can use vouchers for the pool, which is easily accessible using the T from Downtown, Coghill said.

Once in Dormont, they’ll be able to use one of the largest pools in the region.

“This is not your typical pool,” he said. “It is worth a trip.”

Others agreed, including councilwomen Theresa Kail-Smith and Deb Gross, both of whom have been working throughout the summer to provide more opportunities for kids during the summer.

The problem they’ve faced is a staffing shortage that isn’t unique to the city. Dormont faced the same issues and now pays its lifeguards $15 per hour.

But in Pittsburgh, the city’s problems were compounded because all pools were closed last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. This meant the staffers who normally return each year to work had been off for a year, according to Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation Director Ross Chapman.

They advertised and offered incentives, but still barely got enough applicants to staff the eight pools the city was able to open, he said.

It prompted council members to meet with foundations, community leaders and others to find creative ways to address the problem. Council had been prepared to transfer $380,000 in public works money to pay for hiring more people.

But the money wasn’t needed.

Dormont officials heard about the city’s problems and contacted Coghill.

More details will be released once the details of the agreement between the municipalities is worked out, Coghill said.