Download Design Phase Underway for Glen Ridge Community Pool

Design Phase Underway for Glen Ridge Community Pool
Michael Rohal, Glen Ridge Borough Administrator, Discusses Design Options
With Town Council approval, the Glen Ridge Pool Team is moving ahead with design plans for
the Pool. According to Michael Rohal, Borough Administrator, several choices are under
review. Rohal says, “The most desirable pools offer a multi-use facility – one that meets the
needs of residents over their entire lifetimes.” These pools combine wading areas for toddlers,
a training pool for young swimmers, lap lanes for experienced swimmers, and recreational
swimming areas within one large pool. This allows different groups – seniors, singles and young
families – to use different areas of the pool simultaneously while encouraging a strong sense of
community with a shared facility. A pool of this kind could serve 550 members and would be
fully maintained and financed by its membership.
Rohal notes that to build this kind of pool, the Community Pool must have 350–400 fully paid
Founding Memberships by May 15th. On that date, the Glen Ridge Town Council will finalize
the pool’s long term funding. Final funding is based on the number of paid memberships as of
June 1st. According to Rohal, “The funding equation is set up so that every new membership
generates an increase in the long-term financing. Therefore, for each new member who pays
their full Joiner’s Fee by June 1st , Glen Ridge will add money to the bond.” A membership of
350-400 will mean a pool construction budget of between $1.025 – 1.20 million (see attached
chart).
That’s significantly more money to build than today’s projections afford. At the current 300member level, the Pool will receive $750 thousand in long term financing. Combined with $300
thousand in paid memberships, the total Pool budget will be $1.05 million. After design,
engineering and construction management costs are paid, the construction budget will be
approximately $850 thousand. “Naturally, with a lower budget you have less flexibility,” says
Rohal. “For that amount of money, we would build the bathhouse that state regulations require,
a wading pool for toddlers, and a relatively simple main pool.” Rohal is referring to the type of
pool that many of us remember from our childhoods – a single rectangular pool with lap lanes,
without separate recreational swimming areas for different age groups. This more modest
facility would be able to serve no more than 400 members, but is fully sustainable (with no
financial support from the town) at a 300 member level.
“If you want a great facility, now’s the time to join,” says Steve Plate, Mayor of Glen
Ridge. “Every new membership brings an additional $2,500 --- over and above the
membership fee – to the construction fund.” Joiner’s Fees are $960 for an individual/family,
$480 for a senior.
According to Peter Hughes, Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, the
difference will be clear. “You’ll see the difference in the way the pool is designed and built.
The extra money -- $3,000 - 3,500 per membership when Joiners’ Fees and town funding is
combined-- will allow us to build a pool for all residents, one that will be a real attraction to
both current and prospective homeowners,” he concludes.
Founding Members
Joiners’ Fees*
Town Funding**
Total Funding
Design & Construction
Management
Pool Construction Budget
Total Pool Membership
@300
Founding Members
300
$ 300,000
$ 750,000
$1,050,000
$ 200,000
@350
Founding Members
350
$ 350,000
$ 875,000
$1,225,000
$ 200,000
@400
Founding Members
400
$ 400,000
$1,000,000
$1,400,000
$ 200,000
$ 850,000
400
$1,025,000
450
$1,200,000
500-550
* Assumes membership at $960 level. Rounded up to even numbers for clarity in this example.
** Baseline funding by town has been set at $750,000 with 300 members. For each additional membership fully
paid by June 1st, Glen Ridge will add $2,500 to the bond.
###
To join the Glen Ridge Community Pool, pick up a membership form at The Glen Ridge
Municipal Building (825 Bloomfield Avenue, Glen Ridge NJ 07028) or email
[email protected]. All members joining before June 1st will be considered Founding
Members. Membership dues are $940 for an individual/family, $480 for a senior. You may pay
your membership with a personal check or using your Visa card. To use your Visa card, call the
Glen Ridge Municipal building at 973-748-8400 and ask to speak with Irene Wheat or Joanne
Trutko.
To join the Glen Ridge Community Pool or obtain more information, contact Kate Potters at
973-259-9990 or Julia Roberts at 973-748-8985. The Pool Team can be reached by email at
[email protected]. To find out if your friends and neighbors are members, view the
current member list at www.glenridgenj.org.