Borough Will Investigate Park Grandstand's Rehabilitation

The deteriorating Dimmick Park grandstand could be renovated, but Hellertown Borough Council members want to know whether the historic landmark is worth saving before they move ahead with funding a rehabilitation project.

At council's Aug. 1 meeting, Borough Engineer Bryan Smith said that a 2007 visual inspection of the grandstand revealed numerous problems--including rusted steel and rotten timbers--but also found that the structure's concrete footings were in good condition.

Since that time, "the structure has continued to deteriorate," Smith said, before recommending that a thorough structural review of the grandstand be undertaken before council makes a commitment to fund any renovation.

A motion to approve the $1,900 cost of the structural review was approved unanimously by council, 6-0, with councilwoman Stephanie Kovacs absent.

The review will be paid for with money from the borough's capital fund.

Smith said that despite its age, the grandstand could potentially be "made code compliant" and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant if renovations are ultimately undertaken.

Among other things, a renovation of the structure would involve removal of old timbers, replacement of the timbers, sandblasting of steel, the installation of new roofing, the installation of metal handrails and the construction of a handicapped ramp and viewing platform, he said.

Smith told council that "the cost of a new structure is likely to be the same or even more than to renovate the grandstand."