POOL RENOVATION DELAY SPARKS $6,000 COUNTRY CLUB POOL PARTY PLAN

Maplewood Country Club pool

A delay in renovations related to handicap access at the Maplewood Pool will force several end-of-year pool parties to be relocated to the Maplewood Country Club, a $6,000 plan approved by the Township Committee Tuesday night.

But the relocation will not come cheap. The Country Club is charging $1,500 for each party, according to Mayor Vic De Luca. He told us that the cost is for a half-day use for each pool party.

He said at least four classes, likely fifth graders, had pool parties set before the delay occurred. Under the plan being enacted, each school would have to pay $500 of the charge, with the remaining $1,000 to come from the township, to use the country club pool. He said that the township portion would come from pool construction fees.

Keith Knudsen, Maplewood director of recreation, parks and cultural affairs, said each school normally pays $250 for each pool party. So, in essence, the cost is only an additional $250 for each party. In most cases, the school PTAs have covered such costs.

The delays are not expected to affect the scheduled June 16 opening of the pool to all members. Still, four pool parties at a cost of $1,000 each to the township is $4,000 that has to be paid because of the delay.

Asked about why the construction delay occurred, De Luca said in an e-mail:

The first group of classes was to use the pool on June 5^th. The others were scheduled for June 12^th.

There has been a late design addition to the handicapped ramp. A railing has to be installed. The railing is being fabricated. I am told it will take 6 days and another 2 for installation. We cannot fill the pool until the railing is in place.

This delay prevents us from filling the pool and filtering it for a week. The arrangement with the Country Club allows us to focus on completing the renovations to the pool and to provide a pool experience for the children as was done in the past.

All of this comes as the Maplewood Pool is undergoing its largest renovation in years that includes the addition of water slides and has resulted in a 30% pool fee hike.

But is the extra expense worth it for pool parties? Or could they just be canceled to save money? What do you think? Comment below.