Community Aquatic Center Feasibility Presentation Scheduled for Council Meeting on July 17

LOWER TOWNSHIP — Lower Township residents and members of the media will receive the latest information on the feasibility study for a community aquatic center during a council meeting on July 17.
The township has entered into a contract with LAN Associates to complete the feasibility study, which will determine the components in an aquatic center including cost associated with operating the facility and total project cost for development.
“Lower Township is the most populated community in Cape May County, yet our residents have depended on other towns to enjoy recreational or competitive swimming activities,” said Mayor Erik Simonsen. “Building and operating our own aquatic center gives us the ability to provide year-round access for the Lower Cape May Regional High School swim team to practice and host swim meets, for children to receive swim lessons and learn about water safety, and for our seniors to use the planned therapy pool.”
The vision for the aquatic center includes a 25-meter swimming pool that would be based on New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association standards to accommodate swim teams and swim meets. The pool also would provide an area for exercise classes, warm up lanes, lap swimming, swimming lessons and other recreational activities. An American with Disability Act compliant physical therapy pool would be available for professional or private sessions. The facility also would include locker rooms, administrative office space, and a separate hall for social events.
Township Manager Jim Ridgway said that the top location that the township is looking for the project would be the Cape May County Airport complex. The airport complex has been the focus of recent economic development.
The study would also include exploring partnerships with both private and public entities to offset the cost of operating the facility.
The presentation is to begin at 7 p.m. at Township Hall, located at 2600 Bayshore Road.