Hallelujah! More than half of the city's pools will open this summer, thanks to nearly half a million dollars donated by local businesses. The "Splash and Summer Fund" raised $430,000. That includes $110,000 kicked in by the hit TV show, Parking Wars.
“The ongoing success of this campaign exemplifies what can happen when the citizens of Philadelphia, the business community and government work together toward a common goal,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “In this case it‘s keeping our children safe and cool for the summer.”
Private citizens also supported the cause, coming up with close to $24,000 to keep pools open.
Nutter's drastic budget cuts initially called for 68 city pools to close along with many local libraries. The community backlash was painful so Nutter worked with the community to come up with the fund idea.
The money raised means 46 of the city's 73 public pools can open, beginning Tuesday, June 23.
