Swim and tennis club readies for opening
Improvements made
to cabanas, decks, roofs
ELAINE VAN DEVELDE Middletown has spruced up its Harmony Road swim club and is preparing for a May 25 opening.
MIDDLETOWN — It could have ended up being home to a big-box retailer, but near the corner of Route 35 and Harmony Road sits the township’s new and improved Swim and Tennis Club.
"With the township buying the club five years ago, the intent was to keep the property from being developed as part of a proposed big box retailer commercial site from Route 35 [where Staples is] to where the club is now," said Township Administrator Robert Czech. That’s exactly what was done, and since then the club has expanded and grown in popularity. Five years ago the 10-acre tract was purchased for $1.2 million, and since then about $500,000 in improvements have gone into the club, according to Czech.
Since the season for poolside sunning and fun is fast approaching, officials are pointing to improvements made at the club.
When its doors open May 25, people will see new cabanas, roofs, showers and decking at the club, where approximately 1,400 people swam last year. It’s belonged to the township and has been run as a self-sustaining utility since it opened five years ago, so improvements don’t cost township residents one cent in tax dollars.
"The Middletown Swim and Tennis Club is managed through the township of Middletown Swimming Pool Utility," said Mayor Patrick Parkinson. "Managing the swim club through an independent utility offers a mechanism to operate these types of facilities outside the municipal budget. It is a self-sustaining operation that has no effect on the tax rate."
Parkinson added that the budget surplus that remains after paying for operation of the club is what is used to fund improvements, of which there are many this year.
The new deluxe cabanas have showers, decks, sliding glass doors and bathrooms. There have also been many plumbing and electrical upgrades, as well as enhanced handicapped accessibility since 1997.
There are four new cabanas this year, bringing the total to 50 at the opening of the season and could end up at 56 at some point, said Parks and Recreation Director Gregg Silva. "Some people bring in their own microwaves or cabinet units to personalize the cabana to their liking. They can also have the same cabana year after year and personalize it," he added. This year, there is a waiting list for cabanas, which are priced anywhere from $2,100 to $3,100 for the season.
In order to join, you must rent either a cabana or a bathhouse, which is like a small walk-in closet in which to store chairs and other beach supplies. According to the rate schedule, one bathhouse adult membership is $255 for the season, with additional members, ages 4 to 17, or senior citizens costing an additional $195 each; and children, ages 2 and 3, $85 each for the season.
The cabanas, housing up to five people, cost $1,850. For up to six people, the cost is $2,175. For the more deluxe cabanas, the cost rises to $3,000 for up to six and $235 for each additional member beyond the six.
But the club, officials point out, is not just all cabanas and bathhouses. There are four pools, one Olympic sized, one kiddy pool and two mid-sized. There are also tennis courts, a tot lot, picnic areas, shuffle boards and bocce courts, basketball courts, sand volley ball, tether ball, baseball, football and a snack bar. Activities abound, said Silva and Parkinson agreed.
Members’ children are offered two free weeks of swimming lessons. There are swim teams, which have over 100 members so far, and a day camp, which has 100 participants signed up already. There are also youth and family activities, and strictly adult activities, such as theme nights.
"What’s nice about the design is that it’s set up so that you can enjoy yourself and keep track of the kids at the same time," Parkinson added. "When it’s all ready and open for business, it will look like a cruise ship."
The club opens starting May 25, Memorial Day weekend, for weekends until June 21 when it opens for full weeks until Labor Day weekend. For those who want to see the club themselves, there will be open houses conducted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends. You cannot join on a prorated basis mid-season.
The club is managed by one full-time seasonal manager and a part-time staff of about 60 lifeguards, maintenance people and recreation staff.