Lower Township details plan to reopen pool under construction, approves temporary access and fee reductions

The Lower Township manager presented a plan to reopen the municipal pool while the clubhouse remains under reconstruction, proposing temporary pumps and infrastructure, fenced separation of construction areas, and an ADA-accessible restroom trailer to allow public use before project completion.

Manager Mr. Lafy told the council the approach includes relocating a pump temporarily, installing a new concrete pad for a temporary pump, and bringing in two additional pool pumps through the township's long-term contractor to keep water quality acceptable while construction continues. He said the plan would use the Rose Hill Parkway entrance, add limited handicap parking near the entrance, and isolate the construction with temporary fencing and windscreen to separate swimmers from work zones.

"I'm shooting to get this open before our event down on the bay front when it comes to the Fourth of July or the third of July events," Mr. Lafy said, and he asked the council to consider a July 3 target date. He said park staff will clean the site daily and that temporary restroom trailer hookups would be tied into existing sewer and water on site.

Council members approved a resolution that evening to reduce seasonal and daily fees to compensate residents for the lost days: reducing the season pass from $30 to $15, one-day adult entry from $5 to $3, and the child daily fee from $3 to $2. Council noted those reductions were already scheduled for a second reading and implementation with the understanding the pool will open later than usual.

On lifeguards and staffing, meeting remarks indicated lifeguards who had initially been expected to be unavailable agreed to return, and the township reported it had six lifeguards committed to the season. The council said it might alter daily hours to avoid overlap between peak public use and active construction; a final hours schedule will be published when confirmed.

Public comment at the meeting was largely supportive of the reopening plan but mixed on pricing: several residents thanked staff for responsiveness and urged the township to keep fees as-is for value; others welcomed the temporary fee reductions. Residents also asked about parking availability during construction and whether parallel or paved parking could be expanded in a later phase.

The council did not set a binding reopening deadline beyond the stated July 3 target but directed the manager and contractor to proceed with the temporary pump, fencing and ADA-access measures to enable public access as soon as conditions are safe.