Longtime landmark Ligonier Beach to remain shuttered for 2018 season

A summer tradition in eastern Westmoreland County for more than 90 years, the Ligonier Beach swimming pool, won't open on Memorial Day — or at all in 2018.

“It's not going to open this year, that's for sure,” said former owner Raymond Graham of Ligonier.

Recent flooding destroyed pumps and a furnace at the 10-acre pool property, located along Route 30 bordering the Loyalhanna Creek just east of Ligonier Borough.

“The cost to open it up would be more than what it was worth,” Graham said.

He operated the attraction with his wife, Reba, for a decade before they sold it in 2008 to their daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Steve Kozar.

The long-term future of Ligonier Beach remains unclear. The Kozars couldn't be reached for comment, and a phone number listed on the business' website was not in service.

The local landmark features a full-service bar and a restaurant that offered lunch and seafood buffets, as well as Sunday brunch.

According to the website, the swimming pool — originally called Ligonier Valley Bathing Beach — opened July 4, 1925, and was run by the Gallo family until they sold it to the Grahams in 1998. The pool, 400 feet by 125 feet with a fountain at its center, was designed to hold more than 1.3 million gallons of water from an aquifer.

The property once featured a large dance floor and pavilion, with a poolside sandy beach. The pool had a high dive, wooden spinning wheel and spotlights rising from the middle. The fountain and jumping board features remained.

Ligonier Beach has had a long tradition of featuring live entertainment.

Dean Martin, a one-time towel boy at the beach, began singing there with the big bands. Perry Como also sang at the beach.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-6622, jhimler@tribweb.com or via Twitter @jhimler_news.