Citizens group does legwork for new center

BY PATRICIA A. MILLER
Staff Writer

BRICK TOWNSHIP - A nonpartisan citizens group has been working quietly since January to research what would be needed for a new community center.

The members of Citizens for a Better Brick Community are preparing to present their suggestions to the Township Council as soon as the closing on the Ocean Ice Palace property is completed, said Walter Campbell, the group's spokesman.

"It's nonpolitical," Campbell said. "We do not want to be involved politically. The only thing we are interested in is town projects. We don't want to get involved in any of this other stuff."

The report is almost an inch and a half thick and focuses on the pros and cons of "revenue positive" projects like an aquatics therapy center with two physical therapy pools; a pool-field house complex with a 10-lane, 50-meter Olympic-size pool and two short-course, 50-meter pools; and a boathouse with rowing, paddling and sailing facilities.

"The cash cow is the aquatic center," Campbell said. "We've already had inquiries from health-care facilities."

Campbell said he decided to make some of the group's research public because he was upset about negative and erroneous comments about the Ocean Ice Palace purchase in another area newspaper and in online forums.

"I couldn't stand it anymore," he said. "I just had to write this letter. It just got out of hand."

Township Council President Stephen C. Acropolis and other officials have said they want input from residents about what they would like to see on the Ocean Ice Palace property.

"It's a large information package," Campbell said. "They [township officials] can make up their own minds. But I think we can take in the tricounty area to maintain a positive cash flow."

The Township Council voted 6-1 to introduce an ordinance that appropriates $5,450,000 in bonds or bond anticipation notes to purchase the township landmark at the July 24 council meeting.

The property includes 13.34 acres, a pool, a dormitory, and the ice rink building and business.