The Coplay Borough Parks and Recreation Board is breathing again and council members say they think it's going to make it.

"What we need to do ... is see who's interested in being on this board and put this board together," said Councilman Charles Sodl at an informal meeting Monday night at Samuel Owens Restaurant. At last week's council workshop meeting, Councilman Steve Burker said Samuel Owens owner Bill Loy approached him with concerns about "deteriorating" parks and recreation facilities in the borough.

As chairman of council's parks and recreation committee, Burker said, he decided to administer CPR to the practically dead parks and rec board, which had not met for about two years.

Burker announced the public was invited to an informal meeting Monday night at Samuel Owens to offer input on what needs to be done.

Eleven people showed up, including five councilmen and Mayor Joseph Bundra. Also among the attendees were Christine Leitgeb and Seth Hoderewski, both of whom are members of the five-person parks and rec board. Code enforcement officer Ron Helman, who was appointed to the board at Tuesday night's council meeting, was also among the attendees.

The other two rec board members are Loy and Jocelyn Wedge. Loy was out of town. No reason for Wedge's absence was given.

"I am not on the committee," said resident Jennifer Zughbi. "I would love to take one of the open seats, though."

Zughbi said she applied to serve on the board more than a year ago.

Burker and Sodl encouraged her to renew her application.

Sodl suggested calling Wedge and Loy to see if they were interested in continuing to serve. If not, he said, the borough should find someone else.

"You showed up, you showed an interest. I want to keep you here," Burker told Zughbi. "We're going to need your help to make this thing work whether you're a board member or not."

"This is a very important [board] and if it's going to be successful and worth anything, it's going to be an active, busy committee," said Leiner.

Leitgeb agreed.

"Before we can even plan anything, we have to build our foundation," she said.

At Tuesday night's council meeting, Burker mentioned the Monday meeting was well attended.

"I hope the enthusiasm and interest that was shown last night continues," he said.