LA Fitness asks township to allow private‑club pools without lifeguards; board asks solicitor to draft waiver process

Representatives from LA Fitness told the board Jan. 13 they would reopen their Upper Dublin club pool if the township approved an exception to its lifeguard ordinance for private clubs operating as primarily adult facilities.

"Our members are 14 and older," said Chad Abramo, senior regional partner for LA Fitness International, adding that the pool maximum depth is four feet and that the club provides safety equipment and staffed aquatic instructions during peak hours. He asked the board to allow the club to operate without a lifeguard in those circumstances, citing practices in nearby municipalities.

Commissioners voiced safety and liability concerns and debated whether any relief should include an age threshold, time‑of‑use limits or other conditions to limit child access. Solicitor staff recommended a structured waiver or exception process that would allow the board to evaluate individual requests, require indemnification and impose conditions tailored to the applicant.

The board directed the solicitor to draft waiver language for consideration at the February meeting; the solicitor said he would prepare proposed text for a waiver pathway and conditions. LA Fitness provided a written commitment that it would open the pool as quickly as possible once approval is finalized and said it would aim to do so within 30 days of an affirmative action.

No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; the direction to draft a waiver process establishes the framework for a future, public decision.