Before Coplay Borough Council voted on new business at its regular meeting Oct. 11, discussions continued regarding the future of the borough swimming pool.

Councilman Charles Sodl indicated he received paperwork from public works Director Paul Boyle showing the pool is in need of new pumps and filters that will cost approximately $20,962. Also, Sodl stated the history of the pool tracking from 2007 through 2022 showed a loss of a half-million dollars.

“How, in good judgment, can we fund the pool next year?” Sodl asked.

Council President Lou Bodish said he believed the parks and recreation committee should be heard before council decides whether to remove the pool from next year’s budget. That committee, he added, might have ideas on how to keep the pool in operation.

Mark Molitoris, councilman and parks and recreation committee chairman, said he and his colleagues will be meeting to discuss options. The meeting was expected to be Oct. 19.

Molitoris noted he was in contact with Catasauqua Borough officials to see how its pool operated when it was outsourced to the Suburban North Family YMCA, also located in Catasauqua.

Outsourcing the pool is an idea that has been brought up in workshop conversations.

Ultimately, Sodl requested that a vote to operate or not to operate the pool next season be put on council’s Nov. 8 regular meeting agenda. By that time, the parks and recreation committee will have held its meeting and can share any new information and plans.

In new business, council unanimously approved Boyle to represent the borough of Coplay on the Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority board for another five-year term.

A motion was made to approve the coal bid for 2022-23 from Hobel’s Coal for 100 tons of rice-oil-treated coal in the amount of $320 per ton. The motion carried 7-0.

Coplay Sports was granted approval on the renewal of its lease of Samuel Balliet Stadium. The expiration date is now Dec. 31, 2026.

In another agenda item, Coplay Sports had requested use of the gym 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. After a vote by council, this motion carried.

Council will hold its next meeting - a workshop - 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at borough hall, 98 S. Fourth St.