Renovation of Pool Complex Begins

Ellen Gilbert

A sign on the door of the Princeton Recreation Department office reads “New pool project approved. Construction begins September 12, 2011,” and indeed, on Monday, a bulldozer was tearing up concrete sidewalks near the entrance to the pool facility.

Although the start was timely, the construction crew is in “kind of a modified mode,” said Recreation Department Director of Finance and Maintenance Ted Ernst. Still busy attending to damages wrought by Hurricane Irene, PSE&G representatives have reportedly said they have not had time to officially come over to the site and shut down the power. In the meantime, any buildings that don’t have electricity (i.e., the locker rooms and manager’s office) are fair game for the wrecking ball, and drilling has begun for a sewer line.

Pointing to the construction that was going on just outside his window, Mr. Ernst said that he did not believe noise would be an issue for nearby offices and businesses. Project specs also ensure that flying dust particles will not be a problem.

The most immediate impact of the construction is probably the cordoning off of the first several rows of parking spaces in the municipal parking lots off both Witherspoon Street and Route 206. As a result, the remaining parking spaces are now limited for use by Township employees.

In addition to area business people who are used to leaving their cars in the municipal lots, this proviso also applies to Community Park Elementary School teachers and parents who have typically used the Witherspoon Street lot. Student drop-off, though, will still be permitted, said Mr. Ernst.

Those who routinely used the drive-through mailbox in the parking lot will also have to readjust their routes, but only slightly: the mailbox was relocated to another spot in the parking lot on Monday morning.

Curious passersby may peek at construction progress only until this Thursday, when screening will be erected all around the site.

The pool complex is scheduled to open on Memorial Day, 2012.

Site plans for the pool are currently available on the Recreation Department’s website; go to www.princetontwp.org, click on “municipal departments,” and select “Recreation Department.”

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