Tredyffrin's Winter Program Could Be Reinstated This Season​

TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, PA – After residents expressed disappointment and sadness that the 2017-2018 Tredyffrin Township Winter Recreation Program was cancelled, the township issued a statement Tuesday saying the program could be reinstated for this season. But there are a few caveats.

In the announcement, Township Manager William Martin said the program could be reinstated if roughly 135 people sign up by Nov. 30 and if enough staffers get on board to work the program.

"At that point we will need to make a final decision to notify the School District about our space rental," Martin said in the announcement. "If we meet our necessary goals, we will continue to accept registrations through December 8th as we have in the past."

The program registration form is available online here.

Martin said at the Nov. 8 Parks and Recreation Board meeting, which was when the program was tabled, just 28 people had signed up for this year's program. Now, 34 have signed up as of the announcement.

See here for more details on Tredyffrin Township's Winter Recreation program.

Additionally, Martin said just one counselor is committed to working the program. Last year, six counselors handled the program's activities.

Anyone interested in the becoming a counselor, or who knows someone who is interested in a counselor position, should contact Hilliary Mallory at (610)408-3626.

The announcement said the program had more than 233 participants in the 2009-2010 season but the enrollment number has been dropping ever since.

Most recently, the 2016-2017 program had only 133 participants.

Martin also mentioned the program's cost, saying that factored into the decision to put this year's program on hiatus.

"In terms of cost, the rental fee for use of the gym is $1,930.00 charged by Tredyffrin Easttown School District. The total registrations drive our personnel cost on the hiring of counselors," Martin said. "The cost of our Park and Recreation Coordinator’s time is not calculated in the total cost to run the program. Our estimated costs with the rental fee and projected 6 counselors for this season is $3,994.00."

Martin said a byproduct of the program being cancelled was the Parks Board's ability to reexamine the program to improve it for the 2018-2019 season. He said the decision to cancel this year's program was not a permanent removal of the program.

"We welcome the help of interested families to spread the word and sign up for the program no later than November 30th," Martin said in closing the announcement. "We appreciate the feedback and hope this information provides helpful background and opportunity for this program to continue in the2017/18 winter season."

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