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Vol. LXV, No. 19
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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Vol. LXV, No. 19
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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Recreation Department Executive Director Ben Stentz wants area residents to know that the Community Park Pool complex will absolutely open for a regular summer season this Memorial Day weekend. Registration for pool memberships, programs, lessons, and the competitive swimming and diving teams is already underway.
Apparently, said Mr. Stentz, the numerous discussions this last year about refurbishing the aging pool complex led some regular pool users to believe that this summer was a wash-out.
Not so. With the main pool nearly full of water and the diving well on its way, Mr. Stentz and his staff are looking forward to business as usual, including the reassuring presence of staff regulars like Larry Ivan.
“I hate the thought that anyone will miss out,” said Mr. Stentz. “Every program we’ve ever run is in place for this summer.”
The Community Park Pool complex consists of three pools: a 50-meter main pool, a diving pool, and a “kiddie’ pool.” The complex includes a concession stand, men’s and women’s changing rooms, showers, and a kids’ playground. The tennis complex consists of 15 courts, six of which are lighted.
Bidding on an approved plan, which includes an updated main pool, new structures, and improved landscaping, will go out on May 23, said Mr. Stentz. Results are due back on June 21, and once contractors are selected, a season-long celebration of the “old” pool will begin, with special events celebrating the half-century old facility and “the people who’ve been part of it.”
Work on the new complex is scheduled to begin after a demolition phase that will start a week after Labor Day. Mr. Stentz is looking forward to installing a web-cam at the site that will enable anyone to watch the progress of the project from computers at home or work.
In the meantime, said Mr. Stenz, it’s “full steam ahead.”
Since warmer temperatures make dirt and residue cling more tenaciously to pool walls, he noted, covers were pulled off as early as possible this year. “We feel good about it,” he said of the collaborative effort that goes into preparing the pools and the surrounding park-like environment for each season. “The maintenance staff are the unsung heroes of the process. People would be shocked at all the steps that go into it, before the swing gate opens, from big jobs to minute details. The staff deserves a lot of credit.”
Financial assistance for memberships and program registration is available for Princeton Township and Princeton Borough residents. For additional information, contact the Princeton Recreation Department at (609) 921-9480.