Splash fund almost full for Philly pools

For the second consecutive year, all 70 of Philadelphia’s public swimming pools will all be open this summer, thanks to private donations.  The city is close to its fund raising goal earlier than ever.

This is the third summer the city has run an effort to collect donations for the $600,000  necessary to open all swimming pools.  Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson says this is the third and final year of raising private dollars for city pools.

“When we started this campaign we started it as a three-year campaign because we knew we believed that our mayor was going to make sure that we were going to be stable by then and we are,” said Slawson.

Mayor Michael Nutter says it’s important to open and keep open all the city’s pools.

“Our city pools are an incredible resource for children and adults during what can be some really tough summer months here in Philadelphia,” Nutter said.  “It tends to get really hot in the city and I’m not just talking about in City Hall.”

Philadelphia is about $100,000 short of meeting its goal.