Lack of funds, declining membership puts Cranford Township pool in jeopardy
Township officials said during a meeting this past week that pool on Centennial Avenue has faced a deficit for several years because of declining membership and increased costs to operate and maintain the facility.
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A Cranford swimming pool facility's future is uncertain after the township says it does not have enough money to open it in time for summer.
Township officials said during a meeting this past week that the pool on Centennial Avenue has faced a deficit for several years because of declining membership and increased costs to operate and maintain the facility.
Cranford has two outdoor pool complexes – one on Orange Avenue and the other on Centennial Avenue. The township says that because the Centennial Avenue pool complex has less space and is in more immediate need of repairs, the pool may have to close. The repairs consist of replacing the slide, upgrading electrical systems and repairing fences.
"We are trying to come up with solutions, trying to come up with different ideas of how to best serve the township member of the pool," explains Cranford Mayor Terrence Curran. "But personally, I don't think that using taxpayer money is the best way to fund the pool."
However, some residents say that they don't mind spending a couple of extra bucks if it means saving their favorite pool. A GoFundMe was started to raise the $400,000 that is needed to complete the repairs. It’s raised almost $5,000 as of Feb. 15.
"Let's get the community together and really think outside the box and how do we save this pool the next five, 10, 15 years," says Corrine Laplaca, of Cranford.
News 12 reached out to Cranford officials for a comment but had not heard back.
