A resident of Cheltenham Township has filed a lawsuit that could postpone the construction of a new public swimming pool valued at $4.5 million. The complaint asserts that the township’s lease agreement for the pool’s development bypassed the mandatory public bidding process required for such contracts, rendering the agreement illegal under state procurement rules.
The plaintiff’s filing alleges that the township’s decision to award the pool project without competitive bidding violated statutory requirements for public construction contracts. The resident’s lawyer contends that the lease should have been subject to an open bidding procedure, and that the current arrangement circumvents transparency and fair competition. By challenging the legality of the lease, the lawsuit seeks to halt any further work on the pool until the procurement process is reviewed.
Cheltenham Township had announced plans to build a community swimming facility to serve local residents, budgeting $4.5 million for design, construction, and associated amenities. The project was presented as a long‑term investment in recreational infrastructure, aiming to provide year‑round aquatic programming for families and youth. Funding for the pool has been allocated from township resources, and the timeline anticipated groundbreaking within the coming months.
A township official acknowledged receipt of the legal challenge and indicated that the board will review the plaintiff’s claims. While no specific comment on the merits of the case was provided, the official emphasized that the township remains committed to delivering the pool and will cooperate with any required legal or administrative review.
If the court finds merit in the resident’s allegations, the lease could be voided, forcing the township to restart the procurement process. Such a outcome would likely add months to the schedule and could increase costs, depending on the terms of any new bidding round. The lawsuit thus introduces uncertainty into a project that municipal leaders have promoted as a key addition to community services.