Old Valley Swim Club Could be Redeveloped into School, Community Center

Congregation Beth Solomon has indicated it wishes to redevelop the property where the Valley Swim Club once was.

The Congregation has submitted a sketch plan to Lower Moreland Township for three buildings on the 10-are site to be used for a community center, community residential facility and preschool through senior high school.

The property, which is currently zoned Mobile Home District, also has a multipurpose field and playground area drawn up in the plan at 22 Tomlinson Rd. There will be a more in-depth discussion about the property at the Board of Commissioners meeting tonight.

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Back in 2009 there was a big controversy surrounding the Valley Swim Club after an incident where more than 60 campers from Northeast Philadelphia were turned away. Numerous media outlets reported it was because of their race, but the Valley Swim Club said the decision was made out of safety considerations and race had nothing to do with it.

[From CNN: Swim Club president issues an apology]

[Nov. '09: Valley Swim Club sold for 1.46M at a bankruptcy auction]

The property's redevelopment will be dicussed at the Board of Commissioners meeting at 7:30 p.m. Here is the agenda for the meeting:

Robert P. Demartinis, Chairman, Internal Affairs Committee

1. Review Minutes of February 7 and 15 of 2012
2. Review March Bill List
3. Review Bank Account Signatures
4. Review School District’s Fields Feasibility Study Request
5. Review Bond Financing Report
6. Review Manager’s Report
7. Treasurer’s Report

Denise A. Kuritz, Chairman, Community Development Committee

1. Review Congregation Beth Solomon/Tomlinson Rd. – Sketch Plan #12-01
2. Review Zoning Change Request – Lieberman Condominiums/Lieberman Dr.
3. Review Extension of Review Period – Capponi/Pine & Stevens Roads
4. Review Bench Design Standard
5. Building Official’s Report

David H. Sirken, Chairman, Public Safety Committee

1. Review Fire Feasibility Study
2. Police, Fire Marshal and Ambulance Reports

Ferdinand Gonzales, Chairman, Ordinance Committee

1. Review Parks and Playground Ordinance Amendment
2. Review Animals Ordinance Amendment
3. Review Swimming Pools Ordinance Amendment

Timothy R. Weir, Chairman, Public Property Committee

1. Review March Zoning Hearing Board Agenda
2. Review Certificate of Appropriateness

Jill Blumhardt, Chairman, Public Works Committee

1. Review 2012 Paving Schedule
2. Review Lower Moreland Park Request
3. Review Appointment to Recreation Board
4. Public Works Department Report