$2.1M facility
Marlboro building
$2.1M facility
By jeanette m. eng
Staff Writer
This summer, participants in Marlboro’s youth recreation and senior citizens programs should be able to enjoy a new 6,500-square-foot in-ground pool being built at Vanderburg Park, Vanderburg and Boundary roads.
The present construction schedule calls for the project to be finished by the summer, according to John Safiotti, superintendent of recreation.
A bond ordinance providing $2.165 million toward the project was approved by members of the Township Council on Feb. 28, 2002. The project included the construction of the municipal pool and related improvements at Vanderburg Park. The original completion date for the pool was set for the late summer of 2002, but plans did not proceed on schedule.
According to Business Administrator Chris Marion, after the township went out to bid on the project, three bids were received by May 9. The lowest bid was submitted by Stone Ridge Inc., Feasterville, Pa., for $2.049 million. This was only for the construction of the pool and did not include any site improvements. All bids were rejected.
According to Marion, the plan was scaled back and the timeline for the completion of the project was extended in the hope of receiving a more favorable bid. On July 26, the bids were in again and of the three received, Stone Ridge Inc. submitted the low bid of $1.948 million to build the pool.
According to Marion, the original plan included a sand volleyball court, a tot lot and a basketball court which township officials will now finish at a later date.
On Aug. 15, the final bid was awarded to Stone Ridge Inc. in the amount of $1.827 million for the construction of the pool, according to Marion.
Officials simultaneously accepted bids for sewer work and related improvements which would serve the pool and the Vanderburg Park soccer complex, he said. The total for all of the work is the approved amount of $2.165 million.
Construction on the pool has begun and officials are trying to keep in step with the timeline.
The 6,500-square-foot pool will have two slides, a water playground and facilities for swimming laps and playing water sports. It will replace a 12-year-old above-ground pool at the municipal center that has been used by the recreation program.
It will also serve Marlboro’s senior program; however, no decision has been made on whether the Vanderburg Road pool will be opened to the public on weekends.
Construction of the basketball court and tot lot outside of the self-contained pool area may take place in the fall, Safiotti said.