04/07/2026
Leadership changes at community pool committee
By David L. Dye Herald Staff Writer - Mar 30, 2026
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WEST MIDDLESEX — The steering committee responsible for overseeing the Lackawannock-West Middlesex Community Pool is under new leadership, but the committee’s mission remains unchanged.
“We want to keep the pool going and try to improve it where we can,” said Terry Whalen, president of the pool’s steering committee.
“We want to build up the clientele, increase the hours to get more people using it, and take it from there so we can keep moving forward.”
Located at 28 Walnut St., West Middlesex, the community pool is owned by Lackawannock Township and West Middlesex.
Although the pool is managed by the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, or COG, a steering committee of six people — made up of three representatives each from Lackawannock and West Middlesex — oversees the pool.
West Middlesex Mayor Stacey Curry previously served as committee president, until she announced earlier this month her intention to step down due to time commitments and other responsibilities.
Even though she will not serve as president, Curry said she will continue to remain involved in the committee.
Curry added she is proud of the steering committee’s accomplishments so far since the committee was formed a few years ago.
These include securing funds for a new roof for the building that houses the pool’s concessions and restrooms, restroom improvements and a new heater that helps stabilize the pool’s temperature.
All of these improvements have drawn positive feedback from the community and are starting to show tangible results, including increased revenues and attendance last summer, Curry said.
“We’re hearing great things from people about the pool, especially the heater,” Curry said. “I’m pretty sure we’re the only heated public pool in Mercer County.”
Whalen, who also serves as president of the Lackawannock Township supervisors, took over as the steering committee’s president about two weeks ago.
Whalen and Curry both agreed there are plenty of plans for the pool’s future, such as looking into a new pavilion or cabanas to provide shade.
However, the committee is facing some challenges moving forward — particularly when it comes to funding the pool.
The community pool was originally owned by Lackawannock Township, West Middlesex and Shenango Township. At the time, the steering committee was comprised of nine people from all three municipalities.
The Shenango Township supervisors voted in November 2024 to withdraw their funding from the pool in 2026 due to the expenses involved in having COG manage the pool.
Following the Shenango Township supervisors’ decision, the pool was renamed the L-WM Community Pool and the steering committee was downsized from nine members to the remaining six members from Lackawannock Township and West Middlesex.
With the two municipalities expected to pay about $15,550 to COG for this year’s pool season, Whalen said committee officials are looking into different ways to increase revenue and decrease operating costs.
This could include pursuing cheaper options to manage the pool instead of relying on COG, although COG will continue managing the pool through at least this summer season, Whalen said.
“Brian’s done a phenomenal job, unfortunately it’s just a financial thing,” Whalen said, referring to COG Recreation Director Brian Foster, who manages the pool.
Curry and Whalen said one option to increase revenue would be to secure a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for the community pool, which would help secure state and federal grants and make any donations from local businesses and organizations toward the pool tax-deductible.
Committee officials are currently in the process of pursuing the 501(c)(3) status, but there are no timeframes for when the status may be secured.
“We’re not a for-profit pool, we’re a community pool, so getting that nonprofit status would be greatly helpful to us,” Whalen said.
Opening up the pool for community-oriented programs, such as water safety classes or senior aquatics courses, could also provide more revenue — especially considering the pool already has a handicap-accessible ramp often used by residents with disabilities, Whalen said.
Continuing to pursue more improvements, from increased shade to other ideas, to increase attendance and eventually extending the season could help increase revenue as well.
“Basically, where we stand now is, we’re building more and building more,” Whalen said. “This pool is important to us, and we believe it’s important to the community.”
Whalen said anyone who would like to know more about the committee or support the pool can contact either the Lackawannock Township office at 724-981-5055 or the West Middlesex borough office at 724-528-9931.
Information on the upcoming pool season can be found at the community pool’s page, “Swimming at the L-WM Pool — West Middlesex.”
