Apr 14, 2021 By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 4 min read

While the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, the start of spring and anticipation of summer are prompting questions about what to expect as 2021 moves forward.

“A lot of people have been asking, what traditions are coming back and what are on hold and what are canceled?” said Laura Lilley, Mt. Lebanon’s public information officer, during the municipal commission’s regular meeting, held virtually Tuesday.

Before providing the answers, she presented a pandemic update with regard to Allegheny County.

“COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the county, with the health department calling the situation a fourth surge. The department attributes the spread to a lack of mask wearing, a lack of observing social distancing and disease variants that spread more easily,” she said. “Obviously, we encourage everybody to practice safe procedures, including safe social distancing and mask wearing, to limit the spread.”

As far as what’s happening in the community, Lilley said the Mt. Lebanon Swim Center is scheduled to open May 29 and, for anyone seeking a summer job, the recreation department is in the process of filling lifeguard positions.

Prior to the pool opening, the Uptown Market returns to the Washington Road commercial district from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 8. The event is scheduled each Saturday, with the second week of the month featuring bluegrass music and a crafts area.

And scheduled even sooner is a virtual event celebrating Earth Day April 22.

“You can check out lots of videos of demonstrations, music and activities on the Earth Day in Mt. Lebanon Facebook page,” Commissioner Andrew Flynn said.

Regarding other programs, events and activities:

• Mt. Lebanon Golf Course continues to be open for public golfing and leagues.

“Golf outings are canceled for the time being but may be reinstated if restrictions, such as one rider per cart, are lifted,” Lilley said.

• The ice center is available for private rentals, figure skating competitions, in-house hockey leagues and other activities, while programs that are on hold include public skating and learn-to-skate sessions. Occupancy is limited to 140 people for hockey games and 100 for practices.
• Municipal parks are open, including playgrounds and sport courts, and fields are available for team use and rentals.
• The recreation department is hosting a variety of indoor classes, and summer camps and related activities are scheduled to take place.

“Programs that are on hold and will be brought back once the mask mandate is lifted will include fit dance, afternoon yoga and moving meditation,” Lilley said.

Those that are canceled until further notice include senior lunches and the Club Lebo middle-school program.

• A decision about Mt. Lebanon’s annual July 4 celebration will be coming by May 15, according to Lilley.
• Regarding the summer Concerts in the Park series, the recreation staff recommends “moving those back to July and August so there’s a better chance of having less-restrictive guidance from the state,” Lilley said. Decisions on the annual Lebolympics track-and-field event and “dive-in movie” at the swim center are pending.
• The Mt. Lebanon Artists Market is scheduled to return Oct. 2-3.

For more information, visit mtlebanon.org.