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The Background of the Park Forest Pool Renewal Project
2005-2009

April 2005: With the approval of the COG  General Forum, the Authority applied for a $22,000 grant to prepare a Master Site Plan for the renewal of Park Forest Community Swimming Pool. The grant was matched with $22,000 in local municipal funds.

September 2005: PA DCNR announced the approval of the $22,000 grant.

February 2006: The process was approved by PA DCNR; a Study Committee was formed by the Authority and proposals from Architects & Aquatic Consultants were solicited.

March 2006: After reviewing proposals and interviewing three Aquatic Consulting Firms, the Authority awarded three contracts to develop the Park Forest Pool Master Site Plan, subject to approval by PA DCNR:
- Nittany Engineering Inc., Millheim PA for land surveying,
- HP Architects LLP (Now AP Architects) Boalsburg PA to serve as the Lead Design Firm,
- Counsilman-Hunsaker Associates, St. Louis MO to serve as the Aquatic Design Firm.

The design team then began work with the Authority, the Study Committee, staff and the community to prepare a plan to renew Park Forest Community Swimming Pool.

Park Forest Community Swimming Pool Renewal
Public Meeting #1 held on 25 Apr 06
CLICK HERE for the meeting agenda (in PDF format).
The Meeting Summary is posted HERE in PDF format.

The Centre Regional Recreation Authority hosted a Community Meeting on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 7:30 PM at the Park Forest Middle School Cafeteria to hear suggestions from pool users and residents for the upcoming renewal of Park Forest Community Swimming Pool. A Master Site Plan for the renewal will be developed this summer by a partnership of HP Architects of Boalsburg and Counsilman-Hunsaker Associates of St. Louis. The pool was built in 1970, and during Summer 2005 it hosted an average of over 200 visits per day for lessons, swim teams, and recreation swimming. The Authority is hoping to hear from patrons and community members on what facilities and programs they would like to see planned for Park Forest Pool as part of the renewal. The consultants will also discuss features that have been popular in other municipal pool renovations across the country. The Master Site Plan project is being funded by the five Centre Region municipalities and by a grant from the PA DCNR "Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund."

Park Forest Community Swimming Pool Renewal
COG General Forum Presentation held on 26 Jun 06
Public Meeting #2 held on 27 Jun 06

Click HERE to view the PUBLIC MEETING #2 AGENDA
Click HERE to view the Consultant's PowerPoint slides that were presented
at the COG General Forum and at Public Meeting #2.
(The slides are in HTML format and will open a new window in your browser).
NOTE: Not recommended for dial-up connections.
The Meeting Summary is posted HERE (posted 10 Jul 06).

The Centre Regional Recreation Authority hosted a second “Community Meeting” on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 7:30 PM at the Patton Township Municipal Building to hear suggestions from pool users and residents as plans are prepared for the upcoming renewal of Park Forest Community Swimming Pool. Consultants sought community feedback on 4 concept plans for Park Forest Pool, including possible features and layouts for the site. Written suggestions may also be submitted to Centre Region Parks & Recreation, 2643 Gateway Drive, State College PA 16801 or to crpr@crcog.net. For further details contact the CRPR office at 231-3071. The Master Site Plan project is being funded by five Centre Region COG municipalities and by a grant from the PA DCNR "Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund."

At the COG General Forum meeting in June 2006, the following motion was approved:

“That the General Forum:

- Receive the facility renewal options for the Park Forest Community Pool and refer them to the participating municipalities for comments; and further, that municipal responses be forwarded to the COG Executive Director by July 19, 2006 for distribution to Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee; and,

- Authorize the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee to review the detailed options and municipal comments and prepare a recommendation for proceeding; and, 

- Ask the Ad Hoc Regional Parks Committee to present its recommendation to the General Forum at its August 28, 2006 meeting."

As a result of actions by the Centre Regional Recreation Authority and the Pool Renewal Advisory Committee, the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee approved the following motion on 17 Aug 06:

"1. To focus the development of the Park Forest Pool Master Site Plan on "Renewal Option #3" as proposed by the consultants with a cost not to exceed $3.2 million and with construction proposed to start in August 2008, and

2. To request that the COG General Forum authorize the Authority to apply for a state grant in the amount of $350,000, and

3. To request that the COG General Forum endorse the grant application as a regional project on behalf of the five participating municipalities, and

4. To request that the COG General Forum authorize the COG Finance Committee to recommend a strategy for financing the project.”

Further, on 28 Aug 06, the Centre Regional Recreation Authority approved the following motion:

"The Centre Regional Recreation Authority hereby provides official authorization for the following actions:

(1) The consultants are directed to complete and distribute the Master Site Plan & Report (to include those revisions that may be made by the Authority and upon final review by PA DCNR); and,

(2) Request that the COG General Forum endorse the Master Site Plan; and,

(3) That staff prepare and submit, on behalf of the Authority, a state grant application for construction that will include (a.) preparation of detailed plans and specifications, (b.) preparation of bid documents, and (c.) construction.

(4) Conduct at Public Hearing at the start of the regular September CRRA meeting with respect to the grant application (Th 14 Sep 06, 12:15PM at MMNC Barn)"

These motions were then unanimously approved by the COG General Forum at their meeting on 28 Aug 06. The final, 29-slide presentation made at that time by the consultants to the COG General Forum is available HERE in PDF format (2.0 MB).

With the approval of the CRRA and the COG General Forum, in December 2006 the Master Site Plan for Park Forest Pool was approved by PA DCNR. The entire report is available HERE in PDF format (Size: 6 MB, not recommended for dial-up connections).

Centre Region Council of Governments
Centre Regional Recreation Authority
PARK FOREST COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL RENEWAL
GRANT APPLICATION HEARING
Held on Thursday, 14 Sep 06, 12:15PM at Milbrook Marsh Nature Center in College Twp.

Based upon the official selection of “Renewal Option #3” as part of the Master Site Plan for Park Forest Pool, the Authority applied for a $350,000 grant from the PA DCNR Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund to assist with construction costs (to begin in August 2008). Public comment about this application was welcome at the hearing. A decision by PA DCNR on the grant application was expected in 2007.

NEWS BULLETIN: PA DCNR APPROVES GRANT FOR PARK FOREST POOL RENEWAL

On 7 Mar 2007, Governor Rendell announced approval of the $350,000 grant for the construction of the approved Master Site Plan for Park Forest Pool. The Authority will now work with the architects to complete and pool design, finalize a funding strategy for the project, and seek bids for the project. It is expected that construction would begin in August 2008 and conclude in May 2009. The total project cost cannot exceed $3.2 million and will involve the total replacement of all existing facilities at the pool site (not including the picnic pavilion and the parking area). The current pool opened in 1970.

The architectural services contract was approved by PA DCNR and then by the Authority at their August 2007 meeting. Detailed plans based upon the approved Master Site Plan are currently being prepared.

PROGRESS ON REFINING THE PARK FOREST POOL PLAN

On 24 Sep 07, the Rec. Authority unanimously selected a final layout plan so that the detailed planning by the architects and engineers could continue. The selected plan refines the approved program and concepts of the Master Site Plan. This layout plan was selected by the Authority based upon the following factors:

  • Utility runs were shortened significantly (elec., water, sewer, natural gas).
  • Visual entry to site is consistent with the approach drive.
  • The scheme is pushed back in the site slightly to accommodate an entry plaza/organizing space.  Proposed the introduction of gates and piers to transition from parking/drop-off to the entry / control point
  • The hillside becomes a more integral part of scheme; retaining walls to be utilized as architectural element of tot pool rather than just functional elements.
  • Location of utility entry in secondary position relative to entry.
  • Utility wing of building acts as buffer to neighborhood. Stormwater management efforts to take place at this portion of the site. This layout funnels activity towards back of site rather than immediately towards adjacent homes.

HP Architects provided an update to the Authority at their regular November meeting (Th 8 Nov 07, 12:15 PM in the COG Forum Room).

“Community Swimmer’s Meeting” Held
(Public Hearing #3)
Mon., Dec. 10, 2007, 7:30 PM at the Park Forest Middle School Cafeteria

The Centre Regional Recreation Authority hosted a “Community Swimmer’s Meeting” on Mon., Dec. 10, 2007 at the Park Forest Middle School Cafeteria to hear comments from pool users and residents as plans are refined for the upcoming renewal of Park Forest Community Swimming Pool (to begin in early-August 2008 pending municipal approvals). The current development plan, as presented to the COG General Forum on 26 Nov 07, is available HERE in PDF format (Size: 9 MB). Consultants sought community feedback on the detailed construction plans for Park Forest Pool. These plans, based upon the Master Site Plan developed in 2006, are being developed by a partnership of HP Architects of Boalsburg and Counsilman-Hunsaker Associates of St. Louis, MO. (The meeting summary is posted HERE)

UPDATE: Based upon suggestions at this meeting, revisions to the bathhouse room layout were developed by the architects and then officially approved by the CRRA at their 10 Jan 08 meeting.

Patton Township Approves Land Development Plan for Park Forest Pool

The proposed plan was conditionally approved by the Patton Township Planning Commission on Monday 3 Dec 07. Based upon that recommendation, the Board of Supervisors granted conditional approval for the Land Development Plan at their meeting on Wed 12 Dec 07. The consultants will now proceed with the development of the full bidding package and contract documents.

Pool Plans Move Forward

•SHARED PARKING AGREEMENT: At their February meeting, the Authority approved a proposed Shared Parking Agreement with State College Area School District and authorized presenting the proposal to the Board of School Directors. The agreement will allow Park Forest Middle School to use the PF Pool lot, and allow PF Pool users to use the Middle School lots as needed (per Patton Township requirements). This agreement was then approved by the Board of School Directors on 24 Mar 08.

•DRAFT PLANS & BID DOCUMENTS: At their February meeting, the Authority approved submitting the draft plans and bid documents to PA DCNR as required by the $350,000 grant process. At their March meeting, the Authority officially authorized submitting the plans and specifications to:
(1) Centre Region Code Agency for their required review, and
(2) Advertise for bids,
both subject to design comments received from PA DCNR and from the Centre Region Code Agency. The plans were approved by PA DCNR in late-April, so the project will be bid during May.

• FINANCING: The COG General Forum and the five participating municipalities approved the necessary ordinances to obtain financing for both pool renewals (Park Forest Pool and Welch Pool).  As a result of a public bid process, on 19 Mar 08 the COG Finance Committee unanimously approved a bid from Jersey Shore State Bank, Jersey Shore, PA, to finance $7.9 million for 20 years at 3.95% fixed. Prior to that action they had compared the bank note bids with current municipal bond rates, and elected to proceed with the bank note. At their 10 Apr 08 meeting (Agenda), the Authority approved a resolution to execute the necessary documents to obtain that capital project financing. The closing for the financing was held on 1 May 08.

•OFFICIAL BID NOTICE (Legal Ad) for Park Forest Pool Construction (PDF, 76 Kb). NOTICE: At the request of four potential bidders, the bid opening was rescheduled for Th 12 Jun 2008 at 3 PM.

•BID OPENING: Sealed bids for the 4 contracts were publicly opened on 12 Jun 2008.  The Recreation Authority will meet on Tu 17 Jun 2008, 12:15 PM in the COG Building Forum Room to hear the recommendations from the architect on the proposals, along with the recommended Add / Deduct Alternates. If the Authority takes action on approving the four contracts, it is expected that the approvals will be conditional upon:
- the endorsement of the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee (meets on Th 19 Jun 08, 12:15 PM)
- the approval of the Solicitor, and
- the approval of PA DCNR (providing funding assistance).

•BID AWARD: on 17 Jun 2008 the Authority officially authorized the Chair to enter in contract with each of the four selected contractors pending the approval of (1) The COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee, (2) the Solicitor, (3) and PA DCNR. Total cost of the project is projected to not exceed $3,200,000 - as authorized by the COG General Forum.

View the 27 Apr 09 Presentation to the COG General Forum for Welch & Park Forest Pools

•RENEWED POOL OPENS: The renewed Park Forest Pool opened with a "First Splash" and Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, 13 Jun 2009.

CRPR is a publicly-funded, municipal agency serving 5 municipalities.
© 2012 Centre Region COG / Centre Regional Recreation Authority, State College, PA 16801. All rights reserved.