Pittsburgh residents can use vouchers at Dormont pool

Pittsburgh youth will be able to use Dormont pool for free and adults can gain admission for $5 using vouchers, the city announced Thursday.

The move is part of an effort to provide better chance for people to use a pool in light of a staffing shortage that’s caused 10 of the city’s 18 pools to remain closed this year.

People can obtain the vouchers starting Friday from the eight open city pool locations during business hours or from Brookline Recreation Center or Phillips Recreation Center between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

City season pool tags are not transferable at the Dormont Pool, the city said.

The Dormont pool is open Tuesdays through Sundays until Aug. 22. After that, it will be open on weekends through Labor Day. It normally charges a $7 daily admission fee.

The Department of Parks & Recreation has announced a new program for #Pittsburgh residents to use voucher coupons to swim at the Dormont Pool.

The program was initiated under the leadership of City Council in partnership with the Borough of Dormont. https://t.co/8d27IaZMVZ

— CitiParks - Pittsburgh Parks & Recreation (@Citiparks) July 29, 2021

The large pool at Dormont is worth visiting, Pittsburgh Councilman Anthony Coghill said. It is also accessible to any city resident who can get Downtown to a T station, as the pool, located at 1801 Dormont Ave., is a short walk from the Dormont Junction T stop.

“Treat it as a field trip,” Coghill, whose city council district borders Dormont, said.

The vouchers were made available after Dormont officials called Coghill to help after learning of the city’s pool issues.

Pittsburgh officials have struggled to find enough staff to open eight pools and council members, led by President Theresa Kail-Smith and Deb Gross, have worked since June on finding more opportunities for children.

They initially proposed transferring $380,000 of the city’s public works budget to parks and recreation to increase salaries. But salaries are only part of the problem, Parks and Recreation Director Ross Chapman told council.

The city also worked with foundations and universities in the city to no avail. On Tuesday, Coghill floated the offer by Dormont and the vouchers were announced Thursday.