Cranford officials say pools unsustainable at current funding levels; planner engaged as residents urge alternatives

Mayor Terrence Curran said Cranford faces a shortfall in pool funding and has begun a formal planning process to decide how to provide recreation services going forward. "The money available to run the pools this year is less than the cost of running the pools last year," Curran said, and the township has engaged its planner to develop a comprehensive, townwide recreation plan that officials said will take several months and include public input.

The proposal from township officials grew out of several years of declining season memberships at the municipal pools and a temporary $1 million state payment received during COVID that officials said has been used as a recurring surplus and is now running out. Curran and other officials characterized the situation as a funding and usage problem rather than an immediate decision to close a facility: "This is a planning exercise that is gonna involve everybody in the township," Curran said.

Why it matters: Cranford operates two public outdoor pool complexes — Centennial Avenue and Orange Avenue — that residents and families use for lessons, camps and swim-team activities. Township officials said membership revenue funds most operating costs and that continued declines threaten the ability to maintain both sites and address required infrastructure repairs.

Officials' account of finances and next steps Township leaders described a persistent decline in membership that predates COVID. Officials reported membership…