Coplay Borough Council took some last-minute actions over the past week to try and save the renovation plan proposed for Saylor Park. In the end, members made the decision April 9 to discontinue the project.

“We originally started with the idea that this was going to be a $500,000 project. We bid it out, and the number was closer to a million. We cut back the scope of the project and got a lot of help from local trade unions, but we were still around $800,000,” Councilman Charles Sodl said during the council meeting.

The borough had grants to cover $250,000 of the cost and expected to spend a matching amount. With the cost soaring above the projected numbers, the borough estimated the final cost to the borough could amount to $500,000 or more.

“We don’t have the funds to make that kind of a commitment,” Sodl said. “There are several things the borough needs with a higher priority than the park. We need to get it done so we have better recreational facilities, but we can’t do it now.”

The borough has a list of priority items, one of which is a functional public works facility at 1 Bridge St.

During the past week, council members met with various state officials and representatives from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources looking for a way out of the dilemma. The final call was made by DCNR, which is responsible for approval. Based on the grant funding, borough funds available and the new bids, DCNR did not want to proceed with the project. Neither the borough nor DCNR wants to be in a position where there is a partially finished project on a recreational site.

Councilman Stephen Burker spearheaded much of the effort to get Saylor Park completed and was disappointed that it would not happen.

“Many people worked hard over the past three years planning for the park and making it part of our 150th celebration. I want to thank each of them for their time and dedication to the project,” he said.

Burker read a letter from state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, and state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, regarding the project. Both were solidly behind the grants for the project and instrumental in getting funds allocated to Coplay for Saylor Park.

Burker said he wants to continue to try for funding, but it will be down the road.

“We still need to get a nice recreational facility for the borough,” he said.

Although Burker is scheduled to talk with his funding sources to see if there is any outside chance more funding might be available, at this point, the project is over.

In other action, council approved a summer recreational program in conjunction with Catasauqua’s Suburban North Family YMCA. The summer camp program will include crafts and summer activities in the area around the pool. The camp will run June 23-Aug. 16.

Council also approved a measure allowing Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 to use the municipal building as an emergency assembly area. The existing emergency location is not adequate for the student population.