The article, "Fate of swim club still unknown", is mostly a rehash of events that has taken place since Middletown suddenly announced that the swim club would not be operational this season. For those keeping up on the story, there really isn't anything new in the way of news about the efforts of the swim club members group, Save Our Swim club (SOS), who are fighting to keep the swim club operational this year while they come up with a viable plan to take over the swim club from the township. Unfortunately however, it seems that no matter what the SOS group comes up with the they are being rebuffed and turned away by the Township.
The one new piece of information contained in the article is about how Robert Manse, leader of the SOS committee, approached Bob Meyer for help in saving the swim club and how now Meyer has expressed a potential interest of 365 Fitness to take over the swim club maybe a difference maker.
Robert Manse, who heads the SOS committee, has approached Bob Meyer, owner of 365 Fitness, which is also located on Harmony Road. Meyer enlisted his consultant, Deana J. Valente of Santomauro Group, to come up with a proposal for saving the club.Will the expressed interest of Meyer and his 365 Fitness be a difference maker in saving the Middeltown Swim Club? For those that are trying to keep the club open and operational you would hope so but Ii don't think it will unless 365 Fitness is willing to purchase the property outright from the Township.
Meyer said, “This club has been in this town for over 50 years. It’s a landmark, and a good thing for the community. We need to come up with a plan.”
According to Valente, who works extensively with fitness and recreation facilities, there is great potential for the club.
She said, “We would like to operate this for the municipality, and make it profitable.”
Both Meyer and Valente feel the club could easily be a 12-month operation, vs. its current 80-day season. They also see opportunities for synergy between the swim club and 365 Fitness.
Those that operate Middletown want the swim club returned to the tax roll and off it's books. They have no plans to allow it to remain an asset of the township and remain a drain on precious budget resources.