Pool donations are lagging

A city effort to raise private money to keep more swimming pools open this summer is less than halfway to its financial goal.

Officials said the city needed to collect $600,000 by March 6 to keep 30 pools open three days a week. If $1.25 million is raised, 30 pools can stay open six days a week. So far only $245,000 has been pledged, officials said.

Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson said fundraising has been tough.

"I believe with this economic crisis, people that would normally step up to the plate and be willing to give, everybody's feeling this crisis," Slawson said. "We're not there. We need more help."

Mayor Nutter last fall said 63 of 73 outdoor pools would be closed this summer, part of the cuts to close a massive budget gap.

But earlier this month, Nutter and Slawson unveiled the Splash & Summer FUNd effort to help keep more pools open. They've set a March 6 deadline and are soliciting donations from businesses and individuals.

At the announcment, the city said $120,000 had been pledged from local businesses, including TastyKake and TD Bank.

But right now it's not clear if either will happen.

Slawson said she still hopes that the city will hit $600,000. On top of the $245,000 pledged, the city has an additional $200,000 in soft commitments - pledges that aren't definite. And Slawson said it'll keep pushing for funds beyond the deadline if needed.

"I don't want people to think their $10 doesn't matter. It matters," Slawson said.

Slawson said the money raised so far will go to pools. If the city is still short when the season is closer, it will decide how best to manage the resources it has. Having as many pools open as possible is a top priority, she said.

"We had a million visits to our pools in 2008," Slawson said. "If you have 10 pools open, what happens? We're talking safety. We use our pools for summer camps. With 10 pools there's just not enough space; there's not enough locations we can send our camps."

To donate to the Splash & Summer FUNd go to www.philly summerfund.org. *