The Princeton Community Park Pool Complex is about to celebrate its first anniversary. When it opened Memorial Day weekend of 2012, everyone was excited to see the new state-of-the-art Olympic-size pool, children’s pools, concession stand, and shaded picnin areas.

“The new pool created so much interest and a real buzz,” says Princeton Recreation Department executive director Ben Stentz. “2012 saw an extraordinary membership increase of more than 40 percent from 2011. On a typical hot summer day, we could have as many as 3000 people coming during the day.”

The original pool was built in 1967, he notes, and over the years, it needed increasing maintenance. “From 1990 on, it was continued maintenance over the past 20 years. We kept making improvements, and the improvements continued to add up. When we decided to build the new pool, we started the day after Labor Day of 2011, and the goal was to have it ready by Memorial Day 2012. Getting that done was a major achievement. I worked closely with Deanna Stockton, assistant town engineer, and we are both very proud of having the pool ready on time.”

The overall cost was approximately $6.5 million, he adds. The municipalities (then Princeton Borough and Princeton Township) funded the major portion, while private support included a $1 million commitment from the Princeton Parks and Recreation Fund, as well as other contributions from organizations and individuals.

Community Reaction

“The Recreation Department is committed to pay back $1.5 million over 20 years and the money will come from the profits of the pool,” points out Mr. Stentz.

The community reaction has been extremely positive, with both adults and children coming in greater numbers than ever. “I love the new slide!” says a 10-year-old regular. “It’s just great!”

Adds a long-time adult Princeton resident: “It is such a wonderful resource for everyone. All the pools are appropriate for different ages and swimming abilities, and I like the layout of the picnic area and the concession stand. Also, everyone at the office is very helpful.”

An engaged and competent staff is crucial, agrees Mr. Stentz. “The first thing that makes our pool great is the staff. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have such a terrific staff. We have 11 total year round, including the maintenance staff. There is a lot of continuing maintenance. For example, the filtration system has to be cleaned daily, among other things. The pool is open three months of the year, but the maintenance starts in March to get ready. Taking off the covers, cleaning and recalibrating the filter system, getting the landscaping ready, and setting everything up is a big undertaking.

“I can’t say enough about our recreation department staff. I enjoy working with them all so much, and there are three here, especially, who do so much with the pool. Assistant recreation director Evan Moorhead, program supervisor Katie Herlihy, and maintenance foreman Joe Scullion and his staff. Their priority is the operation and maintenance of the facility. These three people make it happen.”

Everything at the pool complex is state-of-the-art, he adds. There are actually four pools, including the main Olympic-size, the diving pool (with three diving boards and the slide), the kiddie pool for toddlers and parents, and the new addition last year of the family bay pool.

Family Bay

“The family bay is a transition-type pool for kids who have outgrown the kiddie pool, but are not quite ready for the big pool,” explains Mr. Stentz. “The water level is three feet, and with a beach-type entry, a gentle incline into the water.”

Ensuring the safety of all swimmers is the number one priority, and 90 life guards are available, with up to 12 on site at any given time, depending on the number of swimmers in the pool, weather, etc.

“We can have four guards at the main pool, and different numbers at each of the other pools. We rotate the guards after 20 or 30 minutes to a different location. It is very intense work. They can’t look away for a moment. They all have life guard certification, and we also teach a certification class here, and additional training under the guidance of Mike Uchrin, our aquatics director. We will simulate different kinds of accident situations.

“Most of the guards are high school and college age boys and girls, 16 to 20 years old. We are relying on these young people for the safety of our swimmers. They are also trained to use the AED — automatic external defribrilator, which we have on hand.”

Swimming and diving lessons are available for children and adults. These are held from 10 a.m. to noon before the pool is open to the public. “This is one of our top priorities,” says Mr. Stentz. “We see swimming as a life skill.”

The main pool is also available to special groups at different times, including Senior Dip from 10 to noon, designated lane lap swimming for seniors, and lap swimming for adults. A variety of aquatic exercises and youth water polo instruction are also available.

Wildly Popular

Early morning sessions are offered for swimming groups, including Princeton Area Master Swim and the Blue Fish Youth Swim and Dive Team.

The pool complex also provides permanent shaded structures, as well as numerous umbrellas, chairs and tables. The picnic areas, along with the concession stand, are favorites. “The concession stand is wildly popular,” reports Mr. Stentz. “We have everything, including hot dogs, hamburgers, wraps, and cheesesteaks as well as fresh fruit, yogurt, and ice cream. People can also bring their own food, but without glass containers.”

Registration is now available, and Mr. Stentz is pleased that no increase in fees has been necessary. Memberships are offered to families and individuals, both Princeton residents and non-residents. Early bird savings are available before April 15. Family: $275 ($295 after the 15th); individual adult (18-59): $160 ($180); child (17 and younger): $93; senior (60 plus): $88.

Mr. Stentz looks forward to seeing the pool becoming even more popular in the years ahead. “This pool means so much to the community, and it is the result of the work of a lot of people and the support of private groups, the municipality, and the public.”

Community Center

“I grew up here, and I grew up swimming in the old pool. The new pool is such a unique community resource. The pool and the library have really become the community center. You can come here and meet new people and make new friends, as well as see old friends.

“We had a great year last year, but the challenge for me is always looking ahead. We cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to meet the demands and expectations of the public, and I look forward to another great season this year.”

In addition to the pool complex, the Princeton Recreation Department operates a very popular day camp program for children in grades one through six, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include swimming, various other sports, nature walks, special performances, local trips, and more.

A Teen Travel camp is also available for sixth to 10th graders, as well as a series of sports camps.

“The Recreation Department must be one of the biggest employers in town,” points out Mr. Stentz. “We have 200 young adults as camp counselors and life guards. It’s one of the most important things we do — giving young people an opportunity to work and learn life skills.”

The pool complex will be open May 25, 26, 27, June 1, 2, 8 and 9. From then on, a daily schedule will be in place through Labor Day. Hours are Monday through Friday noon to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (609) 921-9480. Website: www.princetonrecreation.com.