Progress

COAL STREET renovations: “The city is starting to come back to life. The impression that people are going to get as they come into Wilkes-Barre will leave a quality imprint.”

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Andrew M. Seder on Facebook   |   @TLAndrewSeder on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE – As construction workers and vehicles were hard at work behind them, city, state and federal officials stood in Coal Street Park touting its rebirth and its impact on the future of Wilkes-Barre.

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U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., center, joined Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, left, U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, second from right, and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski in announcing $950,000 in federal funds to aid the revitalization of Coal Street Park on Monday.

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Mayor Tom Leighton said the 31-acre park, once home to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, ice skating rink and bustling with residents from near and far, has become an eyesore. “Slum and blight” were the words he used to describe the East Wilkes-Barre landmark.

Leighton said the park will soon be humming with people and Penguins. In addition to walking trails, a handicap-accessible playground, athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, the $13.7 million renovation project will include a new ice skating facility that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will use as their practice site. The rink will also be open to the public.

The team’s corporate office and team store will also relocate to the complex.

Improved parking, lighting and security cameras will ensure the safety of the public who will enjoy these facilities and programs, Leighton said.

U.S, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, were instrumental in fighting for the most recent round of funding. The $950,000 announced Monday for the project was included in a recent omnibus appropriations bill. The funding will specifically be used to construct new basketball courts, all-purpose fields and other public recreational amenities.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal change,” Kanjorski said. When Leighton approached him a few years ago about funding the project, Kanjorski admitted he thought the concept “was overly ambitious to the extreme,” but he listened and saw promise in what the mayor was proposing.

“This is something that will affect future generations,” Kanjorski added. “All of this will contribute to the health and wellness of the community.”

Casey said the park’s renovations were a no-brainer when it came to fighting for federal funds. He said there are certain types of projects he believes in, and community projects that benefit children are one of them.

Casey and Kanjorski made it a point to defend their actions to secure the federal funds for the project.

“What we’re trying to do with these federal dollars is make an investment in the future. … I’d like someone to tell me why an investment like this isn’t the right thing to do,” Casey said.

Leighton said the cooperation among all levels of government proves the project is worthy. Luzerne County has pledged $1 million, the state has kicked in $4.5 million more, there’s $3.59 million in federal funds and the city has contributed $4.56 million.

“This project exemplifies the kind of outstanding public projects that result from cooperation among various levels of government,” Leighton said. “They have recognized how pivotal this project is to renewing a section of Wilkes-Barre and a gateway into the city and have responded with their support.”

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, whose district encompasses the park, said the end result will be “one more piece of the puzzle the mayor’s always talking about.”

He recalled the “good, the bad and the ugly” days of the park. His band used to perform at the park’s Ice-A-Rama; his daughter was a lifeguard at the pool; his children played teener and Little League ball there. He said he’s glad he’s going to be able to see the city’s and the park’s rejuvenation.

“The city is starting to come back to life,” Pashinski said. He said those entering via Coal Street will no longer see a run-down park.

“The impression that people are going to get as they come into Wilkes-Barre will leave a quality imprint,” Pashinski said.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.