By most people’s definitions of “better,” things at Emmaus Community Pool have been better since a new rate structure for pool passes took effect on July 1. The new fee schedule was put into place to help curb bad behavior at the pool, according to Emmaus Borough Council.

That new rate card essentially sets up three categories of pool goers: borough residents, East Penn School District residents and non-residents. Rates for the borough residents and East Penn residents were not impacted by the new fee schedule.

The major change under the new fee plan occurred for non-residents, who are now charged $18 for a day pass to the pool.

Response to a question on the Emmaus Patch Facebook page about the situation at the pool since the new fee structure was put in place has been overwhelmingly positive about the new fees.

Facebook user James Carl II of Emmaus writes that since the rate changes were put into place he’s seen: “Huge differences, not so crowded, really does keep trouble out.”

Another Facebook user from Emmaus, Elizabeth Macarro-Brown, writes of the environment at the pool: “No one has used it as a bathroom. Last year at this time, I think the pool was cleared out a minimum of four times...That alone has been worth the rate increase!”

Emmaus Borough Councilman Brian Holtzhafer, who is an avid pool-goer, says that it is too early to determine the financial impact of the new fee schedule, but it’s clear that things at the pool are better from the visitor's experience.

“We don’t know the financials. It’s likely that there’s been a revenue loss. But, while we do have less patrons, those we do have are happier,” Holtzhafer says. “It has had a calming effect on the pool and the park. There are less people using the pool and the park.

“We’ll know about the money situation before the season is over, but philosophically we know that we did the right thing,” Holtzhafer says.