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Politics & Government

Pleasant Valley Pool Memberships Available

Swim teams, social events, lots of amenities.

One of the premiere amenities in Bernards Township is the Pleasant Valley Pool. Even that, however, is feeling the pinch of the economic downturn. For the first time in many years, the waiting list for pool membership has been exhausted.

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Pool Commission met last night on ordinary business, but the state of the membership and its impact on pool revenues was a major discussion item. Approximately 65 new memberships have recently been accepted and another 75 are outstanding with March 26th or April 2nd due dates to accept. But this is not the norm, typically the Commission maintains an ongoing wait list.

While it could just be the economy, commission head Bruce Ficken suggested that the downturn in membership may also be attributed to a changing demographic of fewer families with small children, a plateau in the town's overall growth and an increase in teens who don't necessarily see hanging out at the town pool as a 'cool' thing to do.

 The commission hopes and expects that it will be able to sell the remaining memberships and thus cover operating expenses, debt service (which will end in 2012) and still maintain a reasonable level of reserves for capital improvements for 2010. The following two years, however, may be more of an issue depending on membership trends.

A family membership is $450, a two person household is $350 and a single membership is $230. There are one-time membership initiation fees that might scare some people away, however they serve to secure one's membership slot for following years. Installment payment plans are offered as an option. Compared to many other New Jersey towns, commented Bruce Ficken "we offer a superior value."  

Pleasant Valley Pool is only open to township residents. Located at the Pleasant Valley Park off Valley Rd, it is set on acres and acres of wooded and landscaped property. The pool is a 50-meter, Z-shaped, Olympic sized pool with lane lines and a diving tank. Other amenities include:

  • Shallow water training pool with slide
  • Zero depth entry wading pool and splash area for children under age 5
  • Water play area with interactive features and two slides
  • Sand volleyball court, bocce court, ping pong and shuffleboard court
  • Food concession
  • Swim team
  • Swim lessons
  • Special events


This year the Pool Commission is planning Family Night, Grandparents Day and a dance for grades 6th-9th. There are "noodle nights" when you can bring your own noodle to float and guests are welcome on a regular basis (with a minimal guest fee).

As an added incentive to sign up now, the commission approved Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Gander's proposal to eliminate the scaled late fees for renewals and new applications, and replace them with a standard $100 fee.

Application forms and a Pool Handbook are available on the Bernards Township Web site. Additional information with dates for planned events will be published in April. The pool provides an safe and healthy place for families to spend time during the summer months, and those considering taking this year's "staycation" at the Pleasant Valley Pool.

 

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