Ockie Wisting Complex Hearing Held, Soccer Club Sees Boost to Area Economy

COURT HOUSE – Middle Township Committee meeting also served as the public hearing Dec. 7 on the proposed change of use for the planned Robert Ockie Wisting recreational complex in Rio Grande. 
The township is nearing the end of a long, complex process to develop the former farm, Wild West amusement attraction and campground on Fulling Mill Road.
A long-term lease agreement with Cape Express Soccer Club, along with $626,000 from county Open Space funds together provide the capital needed for the project.
In 2003, the township purchased the 82-acre site with grant plans for a multifaceted sports and nature complex. The ensuing decade saw little progress on the early vision for the land.
Recently township officials have revived the effort but with a different twist.
The complex, in current plans, will remain largely rural with three quarters of the space available for non-sports recreation, with hiking trails, a fishing pier on a freshwater fishing pond, bandstand, bird viewing areas, playgrounds, and restrooms.
The remaining quarter will be developed for soccer fields, which Mayor Timothy Donohue said will relieve pressure on the township’s other facilities where competition for field time is high.
The township hopes that a new complex on the former Fort Apache site will also have beneficial economic impact. The growing importance of soccer and the potential of the new site as a draw for tournaments could yield added visitor dollars to township businesses.
For some, the plans for the complex are finally fulfilling the original vision of a recreational facility in the southern end of the township. For others, the rural character of the land should be preserved. The township hopes the many different facets of the proposed complex will provide something for those with both perspectives.
Atlantic City Electric Project
Committee approved a resolution allowing the temporary discharge of large amounts of water into the sanitary sewer system as part of Atlantic City Electric’s ongoing project to upgrade the power infrastructure in parts of the area, and provide greater resilience in the face of future coastal storms.
The utility will pay the added charges the township will face as a result of the extra volume of water in the system.
A major part of the ACE project involves installation of larger galvanized steel storm-resistant poles, some of which can already be seen along Stone Harbor Boulevard and along the bike path.
The utility will also be drilling to support power lines that will run under the bay from the township to Stone Harbor. The project will entail significant dewatering activities as drilling and pole installation continue. The excess water will be routed through the sanitary sewer system at the utility’s expense.
American Legion Post
With a number of agenda items that touched on the county’s Open Space funding process, Donohue used the meeting to reassure the public that committee remains fully committed to the renovation of the building and grounds of American Legion Post 198 at Hand Avenue and Dias Creek Road.
Donohue hopes the township will be ready for the grant process to seek funding for the effort by spring. Competition for grant dollars is high, Donohue said.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.