Resident sues over public pool deal | Inquirer Greater Abington
Plus, Cheltenham families are anxious as the new school year approaches.
Hi, Greater Abington. 👋
A Cheltenham resident has filed a lawsuit against the township alleging a $4.5 million project for a new public pool complex illegally circumvented the standard bidding process. In other news, some families in the township are nervous about the school year fast approaching as the district looks to move past its football scandal.
Plus, a new local police chief also led one of the area’s most famous criminal investigations, and more news of the week.
— Laura Smythe (greaterabington@inquirer.com)
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Cheltenham Township last month made a deal with a private developer to pay up to $4.5 million for three public pools and a new 5,000-square-foot building by Ashmead Road and Front Street. But a resident filed a recent lawsuit alleging the agreement violates public bidding rules.
The lawsuit also scrutinizes township commissioners’ arrangement to lease the land to the developer for $10 per year.
In response to public questioning, township officials wrote in an FAQ posted last week that Cheltenham had “received estimates from multiple pool consultants indicating that constructing a comparable standalone replacement pool would cost approximately $6-8 million.”
The first Cheltenham school board meeting following charges surrounding two high school locker room assaults in 2025 was an emotional one. Officials sought to address families’ concerns last week by laying out next steps, such as new leadership and an independent review of policies.
Despite officials’ attempts to ease frustrations, many are expressing a lack of confidence in the board’s response and whether it will be effective.
As a result, some Cheltenham families are anxious as the new school year approaches — as does the Aug. 27 preliminary hearing for three football coaches and two players charged as adults in the scandal.
💡 Community news
Cheltenham’s new police chief, Richard Schaffer, will be sworn in tomorrow night. He is a longtime crisis negotiator who previously headed the township’s gun violence task force and led the 2005 criminal investigation into Bill Cosby.
A 59-year-old Philadelphia man was found guilty of third-degree murder and sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison by a Montgomery County judge last week after fatally shooting his wife on their way home from a family party in Rockledge in February, The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella reports.
The first phase of SEPTA’s bus network overhaul begins on Sunday, including Route 72, a new crosstown bus running along Cheltenham Avenue.
Overnight paving in Cheltenham Township will close a lane on Church Road between Township Line Road and Route 73 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday. Milling will close a lane during the same hours on Ashbourne Road, Montgomery Avenue, and Central Avenue between Washington Lane and Route 73.
🏫 Schools briefing
Nearly 850 people responded to the recent community survey on the design for Abington’s forthcoming middle school, which faces a final step in the permitting process with the board of commissioners on Aug. 27.
New cameras were installed in Cheltenham High School’s parking lot, athletic fields, and administration building, and building access procedures were updated, administrators said during the district’s first facilities committee meeting of the new school year. Both moves come in response to recommendations following an assessment conducted last school year.
The recently uncovered Cheltenham High School locker room assaults and student-on-student incidents at Cheltenham Elementary are linked in a longstanding, problematic culture district-wide, Inquirer columnist Mike Sielski writes. They’re also part of a larger pattern in youth and high school athletics at other schools, he argues.
🍽️ On our plate
The Pita Pocket Eatery in Cheltenham Township at 582 Cottman Ave. has permanently closed, ending its more than 14-year run.
🎳 Things to do
🖼️ KidFest 2026: Discover future Picassos at the annual exhibition, where young artists will show off their creative works. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 20, 6-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Abington Art Center
🪄 The Cajun Sensation: Will you be tricked by New Orleans magician Michael Dardant? To find out, check out one of his Glenside shows, complete with hand mastery, improv comedy, and Cajun charm. These shows are meant for ages 16 and up. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m. 💵 $35-$45 📍 House of Magic PA, Glenside
🧩 Casual Puzzle Party: Put the pieces together with like-minded community members seeking a low-key way to kick off the weekend. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 22, 10-11 a.m. 💵 Free 📍 Abington Free Library
📚 Philadelphia Book Crawl: Capricorn Books in Jenkintown is participating in the region-wide event, including offering specials. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 22, times vary 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Locations vary
🐶 Paint Your Pet: Bring your own food and drinks to this guided session. Email instructors a picture of your furry friend ahead of time, and they’ll sketch an outline for you. ⏰ Tuesday, Aug. 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m. 💵 $60 📍 Painting With a Twist, Jenkintown
🏡 On the market
Step into this six-bedroom, four-bathroom Elkins Park home through an original wooden door from its 1902 build. Details throughout the house include French doors, wainscoting, custom built-in bookshelves, stained glass, and window seats. There is a chef’s kitchen equipped with double sinks, ovens, and dishwashers; an island; and both a pantry and butler’s pantry. Outside offers a front porch, rear deck, stone-edged garden beds, walking pathways, and mature trees.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $739,900 | Size: 4,746 SF | Acreage: 0.23
📈 Greater Abington market report
Median listing price: $492,000 (down $7,900 from June) 📉
Median sold price: $525,000 (up $102,500 from June) 📈
Median days on the market: 36 (up seven days from June) 📈
Median listing price: $372,000 (same as June)
Median sold price: $480,000 (up $10,000 from June) 📈
Median days on the market: 57 (up 24 days from June) 📈
Median listing price: $475,000 (up $26,500 from June) 📈
Median sold price: $455,000 (down $15,000 from June) 📉
Median days on the market: 36 (up nine days from June) 📈
This Greater Abington market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for July from realtor.com.
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