Parents, coaches urge board to preserve UDHS pool; district to study short- and long-term options
January 17, 2025 | Upper Darby SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Parents and swim program supporters urged the Upper Darby board on Jan. 14 to keep and improve the district pool at UDHS, saying the facility supports the Marlins program and expands access to competitive swimming for students of color and working families.
Dr. Shontera Smith, who identified herself as a parent of three former UD swimmers, wrote that UD swimming offered her sons “a sanctuary” and that closing the pool would push working‑class and Black swimmers to programs farther from home. In written remarks she said, “If you close that pool, kids of color will have to go further into less diverse areas to swim, making them feel like the sport isn't really for them.”
Another written commenter, Maria Harkness, asked specific questions about costs, staffing, operating hours and whether services proposed for the natatorium site — including a suggested mental‑health hub — would be available year round and how they would be staffed and funded.
District response and next steps
Superintendent Daniel McGarry said the board directed administration to outline short‑term and long‑term plans for the pool and to report back. He told the board: “The board was clear that they want the pool to be kept, and they want the pool to be improved, within financial reasons.” McGarry said staff will meet with swim coaches and the high‑school athletic department and provide updates on repair scope and funding options.
Why it matters: Supporters said the pool provides affordable, local access to swimming lessons and competitive sport opportunities that are otherwise scarce for families in parts of Delaware County and Philadelphia.
What was not decided
No dollar figures, contract awards or a fixed repair timeline were announced. McGarry said the district will present options in stages and that planned repairs will be constrained by available funding. He said the board asked for both short‑term fixes to keep the pool operational and longer‑term planning for major renovation.
Public records and follow up
The finance and operations committee had previously noted a natatorium renovation as an informational item; the board will receive staff reports on proposed scopes, costs and timelines before any formal funding decision.
Dr. Shontera Smith, who identified herself as a parent of three former UD swimmers, wrote that UD swimming offered her sons “a sanctuary” and that closing the pool would push working‑class and Black swimmers to programs farther from home. In written remarks she said, “If you close that pool, kids of color will have to go further into less diverse areas to swim, making them feel like the sport isn't really for them.”
Another written commenter, Maria Harkness, asked specific questions about costs, staffing, operating hours and whether services proposed for the natatorium site — including a suggested mental‑health hub — would be available year round and how they would be staffed and funded.
District response and next steps
Superintendent Daniel McGarry said the board directed administration to outline short‑term and long‑term plans for the pool and to report back. He told the board: “The board was clear that they want the pool to be kept, and they want the pool to be improved, within financial reasons.” McGarry said staff will meet with swim coaches and the high‑school athletic department and provide updates on repair scope and funding options.
Why it matters: Supporters said the pool provides affordable, local access to swimming lessons and competitive sport opportunities that are otherwise scarce for families in parts of Delaware County and Philadelphia.
What was not decided
No dollar figures, contract awards or a fixed repair timeline were announced. McGarry said the district will present options in stages and that planned repairs will be constrained by available funding. He said the board asked for both short‑term fixes to keep the pool operational and longer‑term planning for major renovation.
Public records and follow up
The finance and operations committee had previously noted a natatorium renovation as an informational item; the board will receive staff reports on proposed scopes, costs and timelines before any formal funding decision.
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