Mr. Mayor, Mr. Manager and Council Representatives, good afternoon. 

My name is Tony Nicolazzo (Ward 2) and I am the President of Gateway Heights Club, Inc. (swim club) located at 2249 Ramsey Road. I am writing to you on behalf of the four community swim clubs in Monroeville: 

• Gateway Heights Club, 
• Haymaker Swim Club, 
• Park Swim Club and 
• Garden City Swim Club. 

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Municipality (then Borough) of Monroeville, approved the construction of six neighborhood pools, all of which (along with the Municipal Pool at Bel-Aire) served our young and vibrant community. Through the years, our clubs benefited from annual grants from the Commonwealth of PA as well as the Municipality. Over the past two decades, grants from both Government entities were discontinued, and subsequently we have lost two pools (East Gate Swim Club and Foxwood Swim Club). 

The good news is that each of the four remaining community pools have done a great job in staying afloat and providing a fun, safe and family-friendly place for our neighbors to spend their summer days. At Gateway Heights, we continue to operate “in the black” year after year (break-even, as we are a 501(c)7 non-profit organization). We continue to pay taxes, add value to our neighborhood and provide a great service to the community. 

With the sale of the Bel-Aire property to the PA Turnpike Commission, the four remaining community pools would like to “fill the void” that will be created with the closing of Bel-Aire pool. We would like the Municipality to consider making a one-time investment in each of our pools, to help us address capital improvements to our facilities, each of which are about 50 years old. In recent discussions with various Municipal officials, I have been told that “Monroeville does not wish to be in the pool business.” As the person responsible for running a pool for six years now, I can appreciate this sentiment…if indeed it is true. Building a new community swimming pool would likely be a $2M - $3M investment, if not more. Maintaining it from year-to-year would be even more. 

An investment of $75K per pool ($300K total) would help each of our clubs address issues with our filtration systems, pool lining cracks, safety equipment and handicap accessibility. More importantly, I can tell you that at Gateway Heights, such an investment would help to ensure that our club will remain viable for the next 10-20 years. From what I understand, this total amount would be the equivalent of 30% of the sale price of the Bel-Aire property. 

In the coming weeks, I am certain you will be presented with a plethora of ideas on “how to spend the Bel-Aire money.” I would like your support of this idea, and welcome the opportunity to work with you to refine and properly define it. Please help to keep our swim clubs going! 

I welcome each of you and your family to Gateway Heights Club as guests of the Board. Just let me know when you are interested in coming, and I will make sure you are welcome as guests on the day you wish to visit. I want you to see the value our swim club (just like the other three) provides to our community. I hope you will help champion this idea and look forward to your guidance on how to move forward with a formal presentation. 

Regards, 

Tony Nicolazzo
(412) 897-7907

cc: GHC Board of Directors, Eric Poach (Ward 2 Councilman)