Community center not a dead issue, official says

Brick Township Councilman Michael Thulen recently resurrected the possibility of building a community center.

"I wonder if we should start rethinking property we already talked about," Thulen said at the Sept. 2 Township Council caucus.

Thulen suggested the township reconsider using a portion of the Sawmill tract off Burnt Tavern Road for the long-awaited center.

"Throw it on the wall and let's see if it sticks," he said.

Thulen said he had been relaxing on the beach over Labor Day weekend and heard people talking about how they would still like to see a township-owned community center.

"Maybe they don't want an ice rink, but they want a community center," he said.

"All I'm saying is that I don't think it's a dead issue yet," Thulen said.

"If the council wants to put together a community center at some point, good luck," Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said.

"Just kidding," he added.

Acropolis said Monday the community center was "in the past."

"We are moving forward with the Foodtown redevelopment," he said.

"Do I think Brick Township still needs a community center? Absolutely," Acropolis said. "Do I think people in Brick Township still want a community center? Absolutely.

Township Administrator Scott M. Pezarras said after the meeting he didn't think the Sawmill tract would be a good place for the center, because it is not centrally located.

Township officials spent much of 2007 and the first five months of 2008 trying to buy the Ocean Ice Palace on Chambers Bridge Road for use as a senior center and community center.

Councilmembers introduced a $5.45million ordinance in July 2007 to purchase the property, with the intent of using the site as a long-awaited community center.

But the ordinance was later pulled because of financing problems.

Council members introduced a $9.9 million ordinance in the spring to prepare for the purchase.

But owner Joan Dwulet cut off negotiations with the township in late May and put the property back on the market.

Her decision to walk away from the township came shortly after the group Stop Overspending gathered enough signatures to put the Ice Palace purchase on the ballot.

Thulen said a new community center wouldn't necessarily have to include a hockey rink. But CouncilmanAnthonyMatthews disagreed.

"That ice rink generates the revenue to support it," Matthews said. "You need that revenue draw."

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