By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Memberships for the Community Park Pool will be increasing about 16 percent for families, or $37, and became available beginning Feb.15 through the Recreation Department.
The pool complex is in the process of being upgraded with a $6 million refurbishment project that is going to feature a family bay and expanded wading pool, both with zero-depth entry, a 14-foot slide at the diving well, as well as new locker room facilities and concession area.
”In Nov. 2011, the Recreation Board approved the 2012 fees including any increases to help offset the Recreation Department’s commitment towards repaying the debt on the new pool,” said Evan Moorehead, assistant recreation director. “Our fees are still much cheaper when compared with other area pools in neighboring towns.”
The Recreation Department is responsible for $1.48 million of the pool construction costs, said Ben Stentz, executive director. “We have that responsibility to pay that over 20 years,” he said. “It comes to roughly $107,000 per year. Our only mechanism to generate revenue is to raise fees within the department.”
”It’s a modest increase in fees considering what a wonderful new facility we are going to have,” he added.
Family memberships, which are the most popular, bought before April 16 will cost $275; after April 16 the cost will be $295 for Princeton residents. Last year the same membership cost $237 and 258, so it is an increase of $37.
Adult memberships will cost $160 before April 16 or $180 after that, which is $15 more than last year. Last year’s costs were $145 and $165.
Child and senior annual pass prices are $93 and $88, respectively. Last year’s prices were $78 and $73, respectively.
For non-residents the cost for an annual family pass will be $495 before April 16 and $547 afterward. Last year rates were $463 and $510, respectively.
Non-resident adult memberships are $283, non-resident child memberships will cost $170 and non-resident senior will cost $160. The same rates were $268, $155 and $145 last year.
Daily admissions will be $10 for residents and $ 5 per child; last year’s costs were $8 and $5.
Non-resident adult $13 and non-resident child $11. Last year’s non-resident costs were $9 for adults and $7 for children.
Registration can be done online at http://register.communitypass.net/princeton or at the Recreation Office adjacent to the Township municipal offices.
Financial assistance and scholarships are available though an application process.
The pool project is on schedule to open Memorial Day weekend, said Mr. Stentz. The cutouts and the footings of the family bay pool are installed and ready for concrete pouring for the sides and the floor; it’s Myrtha panels are installed, said Mr. Stentz. The diving well is complete has its Myrtha panels installed as well. The slide at the diving pool may installed next week, depending upon weather. The baby pool is complete and awaiting its concrete patio.
The locker room shells are complete and the masonry is finished. The roof of the building is in progress, with supports being installed. “It actually looks like a real building,” said Mr. Stentz.
Once all the exterior shells have been finished, interior work such as plumbing and electrical can begin, he said.

