Michael Petrone, Joanne Rogers and Thomas Zucosky

By: centraljersey.com
The Princeton Recreation Board commends the Borough Council’s introduction of the bond ordinance at its Jan. 25 meeting to finance its share of the cost to renovate the Community Park Pool facility, and we urge Borough Council to formally adopt the bond ordinance at its Feb. 22 meeting.
We likewise commend Princeton Township Committee for its earlier approval of the bond ordinance funding its share of the project cost.
There is near unanimous agreement that the pool is a vital community asset and a worthwhile public investment. The pool brings together many segments of our community in an enjoyable, positive way; there is no other community facility quite like it. In many ways our community pool is the recreational, outdoor complement to Princeton Public Library, which was so successfully rebuilt. Indeed, these are the types of community facilities and services that are deserving of substantial public investment.Merely patching the existing pool complex is fiscally imprudent and shortsighted. Estimates to simply renovate the existing structures range from over $3 million to $4.3 million. That approach is still costly, provides only a temporary solution and allows for no meaningful improvement of the facility.
As a community, we need to think about the attractiveness and vitality of our towns going forward. A repair-only approach will not attract the new users necessary to turn around declining pool membership and revenues. In the renovation plan, improvements include: redesign of the entrance area to improve flow into and out of the pool; the addition of a transition pool between the main pool and the wading pool to meet the needs of families with toddlers and tweens, the physically impaired and the elderly; a small enlargement to the diving pool to allow for activities attractive to older children and teenagers; improvement of the concession area in order to provide better food, a pleasant picnic area and reasonable working space for kitchen personnel; and redesign of the administrative buildings to improve functionality and safety. The pool renovation would also include completely new piping, filtration and electrical wiring to replace the existing failing systems, new decking, and other modifications necessary to meet regulatory codes.Critics of the pool renovation and improvement have often mischaracterized the redevelopment plans as an over-the-top, radical departure from the current pool. Nothing could be further from the truth. The new pool facility will maintain the familiar look and feel of the current facility and provide the same amount of green space. None of the proposed improvements make drastic changes to the existing footprint of the pool or its current style, while retaining the very understated and functional aesthetic that currently exists.
The current cost estimates for a renovated pool with these features is between $5.5 million and $6.1 million. Due to the recession, this is an opportune time to obtain well priced construction bids and any additional delay will likely lead to a higher cost. It is estimated that delay in approval of the bond ordinance has already added 2 percent to the project and that will no doubt rise as construction activity rebounds.
Funding for the pool renovation will come from a number of sources. First, a philanthropic fund has been formed to raise at least $1 million for the pool renovation project. Second, the Recreation Department has pledged to contribute $1 million towards the cost through user fees. As users know, the Community Park Pool is the most affordable pool in our area and research shows that it is one of the best priced community pools in New Jersey. This will continue to be the case at the renovated pool.
After those contributions, the township and borough would be responsible for funding about $4 million of the cost: The township would be responsible for two-thirds of the cost or approximately $2.67 million and the borough would be responsible for one-third or about $1.33 million. That cost is no more than other capital projects like the repaving of Mercer Street and is certainly a reasonable investment for a pool facility that benefits our community in so many ways, including sustaining real estate values.
There is no doubt that time is of the essence: first of all because Community Park Pool is 41 years old and woefully in need of fundamental work; second, from a cost savings perspective; and finally in order not to lose any pool time next summer. In order to begin renovation in September 2011 and open in time for the 2012 swim season, the project needs to go out to bid by May. We therefore urge the Borough Committee to approve the bond ordinance at its Feb. 22 meeting. Further, we urge residents to attend this meeting and make their voices heard.
Michael Petrone, Joanne Rogers and Thomas Zucosky are members of the Princeton Recreation Board Management Committee.