Offers to sell 20-acre tract to raise construction money.
By: Rebecca Tokarz
The South Brunswick Family YMCA wants some help from the township to build an indoor Olympic-size pool.
Under a proposal made by the YMCA board of directors, South Brunswick would buy approximately 20 of the Y’s 26-acre parcel on Culver Road using money from its open space trust fund, according to a March 14 letter sent from Andre Gruber, YMCA chairman of the board of directors, to Mayor Frank Gambatese.
The South Brunswick Open Space Advisory Committee met Monday to discuss the proposal and asked Township Open Space attorney Bernie Hvozdovic to look into the matter.
Under the proposal, the YMCA would lease the 20 acres back from the township and "provide ball fields, nature trails and facilities for similar activities for our members and their programs," the letter said.
"It would provide an indoor pool for the high school swim team, YMCA members and township residents," said Mr. Gruber.
Mr. Hvozdovic said he was looking into what types of land acquisitions can be made under the Open Space Trust Fund charter.
He said he was uncertain if the land could be acquired from the YMCA unless a deal is struck that guarantees all township residents can use it, because the Open Space Trust Fund is funded by taxpayer dollars.
"Typically, towns purchase open space and turn it into land that can be used by everyone, such as a park," he said.
The letter said the YMCA would use a "vast majority" of money garnered through the sale of land to build a gymnasium and the pool.
"This would give us some money to pay off bills and use it as seed money," Mr. Gruber said.
Should the groups reach an agreement, the high school swim team would have access to the pool, as would YMCA members, Mr. Gruber said. He also said township residents would probably have to purchase YMCA memberships to gain access to the pool.
"It would provide an indoor pool for the high school swim team, YMCA members and township residents," said Mr. Gruber.
Mayor Gambatese said he is willing to speak with Mr. Gruber about the proposal.
"It is something that needs to be discussed and brought forth to the council if it is viable," he said.
Mayor Gambatese also said the YMCA land is adjacent to other township-owned property, which would make acquiring the parcel beneficial.
Superintendent Sam Stewart said that while he has not been invited to any of the meetings, he thinks the idea would be beneficial to all involved.
"I think it’s a terrific idea to have an Olympic-size pool. The community and the youth need it," he said.
The current 19,000-square-foot facility includes a 20-foot by 40-foot swimming pool, a fitness center, a gymnastics center, a child development center and a wellness studio.
The YMCA experienced a financial shortfall in January, and needed to raise at least $60,000 by May to cover operational costs because the winter months are a slow revenue-generating time of the year for the YMCA.
YMCA officials have said they were too optimistic in their membership projections when the YMA first opened in 2001. Fund-raising efforts account for between 2 and 5 percent of the YMCA’s $2.3 million annual operational budget.
Through a Building Blocks campaign, donations and an April 25 Gala Dinner Dance, the YMCA raised $130,000, according to Steven Rodriguez, SB Family YMCA interim director.
YMCA officials are cautiously optimistic that they will have a surplus by the end of the month, Mr. Gruber said, because the YMCA has cut costs, membership has increased and summer camp registration the YMCA’s top revenue generator has begun.
To date, the YMCA has 593 members. In January 2002, it had 462 members.
For more information on YMCA programs or to register for a class or the child development program, call (732) 329-1150, or write the YMCA at 329 Culver Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852.

