Pool Upgrades Makes a Splash at Community Center

By Tim Kelly One of Ocean City’s most popular public spaces will soon be receiving a needed facelift. The Aquatic and Fitness Center has been earmarked for improvements as part of a $1.25 million “Parks and Public Places” capital project for upgrades at the Ocean City Community Center located at 1735 Simpson Ave. City Purchasing and Contract Manager Joseph S. Clark said the overall cost of the project will be determined when bids are received, and contracts awarded for the work. “We do not disclose (expected costs) in advance of the bidding, to ensure the bids do not come in at that number (when they could be lower without such knowledge),” Clark said. “It keeps the bidding process fair.” According to the Ocean City website, the improvements will include repairs to the pool itself, decking, gutters, and lane markers. In addition to use by the public, the pool is the home venue for the Ocean City High School girls and boys swim teams and a youth swimming program. The pool, located near the south entrance of the Community Center, was closed recently for the first time in its history for repair work to be done, a city employee said. The city hopes to have all the work completed in time for the Aquatic Center’s role in the city’s summer recreation programs. Clark said the improvements would also include new signage and a more attractive entrance for the facility. Repairs to gutters and lane markers are just two of the improvements to the facility. During a visit to the Aquatic and Fitness Center on Monday, temporary signs directing members and visitors to the facility had been taped to the walls and doorways. Temporary signage points the way to the Aquatic and Fitness Center. A new entrance is among the plans for the facility, Clark said. The pool is a favorite venue for fitness buffs who swim laps before and after work, and for seniors and others whose schedules allow them to use it during daytime hours. It is open weekdays from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. Weekend hours, which “can differ,” according to its website, are generally on Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memberships are available to the facility, as well as daily use passes. Rates vary according to size of family, ages of members and other variables. Rates are posted on the website: www.ocnj.us/Aquatic-and-Fitness-Center/ Members who might be concerned about missing their workouts during repairs, expected to take several weeks, needn’t fret. Thanks to a reciprocal agreement with the Katz Jewish Community Center on Jerome Avenue in Margate, members may use the pool at that facility until the pool in Ocean City reopens. The Ocean City Community Center is located at 1735 Simpson Ave.