Lower Puts Aqua Center on Hold

ERMA – Lower Township Administrator James Ridgway reported that the proposed aqua center that had been proposed to be constructed at the Cape May County Airport has been temporarily postponed. 
The center was proposed in May of this year by LAN Associates, an engineering and planning firm that the township hired to look into the feasibility of building and operating a comprehensive aquatic center at the airport.
The proposed center would include a six-lane competition pool for youth sports and adult lap swimming, plus a separate “lifestyle” pool for adult and senior aqua therapy including resistance walking and other therapeutic activities.
The center would offer a water slide and other aquatic entertainment features for children as well. The center would contain locker rooms, community meeting rooms, and offices. 
Ridgway explained that the township had withdrawn its county Open Space grant application that would have funded part of the $14.3-million cost because “we do not have all the partners, including area municipalities completely on board,” although Ridgway said that the municipalities have agreed in principle to some sort of shared use and funding formula. That would help cover costs after the center is operational.
Ridgway also envisioned local schools using the competition pool, as well as various healthcare providers’ interest in using the other elements of the center for therapeutic purposes.
Ridgway wanted to be clear that he ”wants to make sure that all potential partners and funding opportunities are exhausted before we (township) re-apply for the Open Space grant in December of this year.”
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.