South Lebanon Township moves forward with park pavilion roof replacements

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

With summer approaching, South Hills Park will soon undergo pavilion roof replacements.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the South Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors, the board approved the replacement of six of the seven pavilion roofs for $49,900. The project had previously been allocated in the township’s 2026 budget.

Supervisor Jeffrey Chernich asked about the project timeline, including when work would begin once materials are received and when it is expected to be completed. He also raised concerns about how the project could affect pavilions that have already been rented for events.

Township manager Jamie Yiengst explained that she has not yet received a timeline for the project and that the work will be coordinated around times when the pavilions have already been reserved. 

The board then heard several concerns raised by Lebanon resident Shannon Kurtz in regards to the time at which the gates to the pickleball courts are locked, as the posted signs state that the courts are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., or until dusk. 

“The supposedly new kids that are working there now are saying that they were told that they don’t close it or start closing the park down until the lights comes on, that’s what they told me the other night,” said Kurtz. “If that’s the case those lights aren’t going to come on until 9 or 9:30 in a couple months, that’s not what the hours are on that sign. Something needs to be done about it. We will not put up with those staying open until the lights go on.” 

Kurtz has raised several concerns in the past in regards to the noise the caused by the pickleball courts.

Chairman Stephen Krause noted that they will work with park staff to ensure that the gates are being closed at the correct times. 

Kurtz also raised concern about an increase of dirt bikes being ridden through the park. Dirt bikes are prohibited in the park. 

“(Dirt bikes) and e-bikes in general are kind of a problem were trying to figure out how to deal with it because the park staff can’t pursue these people until the police get there, and until then they are long gone,” said Yiengst. 

The board then reviewed a petition from the Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. for a variance on the distribution center it is building in South Lebanon. The company is looking to have six large illuminated signs installed on the outside of the distribution center.  

The size and number of signs the company is looking to install is not currently permitted under the township’s zoning ordinances. 

“My concern with it I don’t want to set the precedent of priority out there or any of the industrial buildings,” said vice chairman Jonathan Beers. “Once you approve once, you’re not going to be able to disapprove others that want to put that same back lit sign that could be obnoxious.”

Yiengst will pass along the supervisors’ concerns to the zoning board for consideration as it determines how to proceed.

In other business, the board:

• Unanimously appointed Mary Rivers as representative to the Lebanon Community Library board.
• Unanimously approved an intent to award to Allgyer Enterprises the Meadowview sewer project at their bid of $852,515. The township will be able to finalize the award after the necessary paperwork has been completed by Allgyer.