Owner Of 365 Fitness Interested In Middletown Swim Club

According to an article published in the Monmouth Journal and appearing online Bob Meyer, the owner of 365 Fitness has expressed an interest in operating the Middletown Swim and Tennis Club.

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.

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.

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.
 
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.

RESIDENTS' BUSINESS PLAN TO OPERATE POOL CLUB PROFITABLY

Several members of the Middletown Swim and Tennis Club have been working hard behind the scenes to salvage the municipal pool club and protect our community asset from the Township's misguided and rash plan to close and auction this valuable taxpayer asset.

At it's January public meeting, the Middletown Township Committee announced the 2012 Middletown Swim and Tennis Club was in jeopardy of not opening due to their claim the pool club ran a deficit for the last three years of their 15-year ownership. The Township Committee cited a drop in membership for it's revenue shortfall and said they would listen to any viable solution in order to open the swim club this Summer.

The SOS Committee (Save Our Swim Club) was formed to do just that. This group, comprised mostly of local business people, professionals, teachers and residents, collected financial records and Township documents under the Freedom of Information Act. Their finding showed a slight drop in membership but a sustainable membership base all the same.

The SOS Committee has developed a business plan - not only to operate the complex budget - but also provide a surplus necessary for future upgrades, ADA requirements and possible expansion. The plan includes moderate increases for cabana members with separate fees for membership. The SOS business plan also includes modified fees for the swim team, swim lessons, tennis lessons, day camp and daily day passes. Recommendations by the SOS Committee include ways to generate additional memberships and revenue through concession rentals and controlling daily attendance traffic into the pool club.

However, on February 6, 2012 the Township Committee held a planning meeting with motions to dissolve the pool club utility and set into motion the sale of the pool club property with deed restrictions, over continued pleas to slow the process, allowing more time for all interested parties to present their proposals on managing the pool club. They only sprung the news on the 1100+ members early this January in a press release. Prior to the Jan. 6th Town Hall meeting, there was no mention of the Pool utility dissolution…

The SOS Committee has found a sympathetic ear on the Township Committee noting with just 10 years left on the bond service, the annual payment will reduce by $100,000.00 in just 5 years allowing the Middletown Swim and Tennis Club to run at a surplus of over $150,000.00 per year with an operating season only 80 days long. This is even before proposed cost-saving and added revenue plans that the SOS committee has prepared. It does not make any sense why the Township of Middletown should make such a hasty and abrupt decision without looking for solutions. The Township has mismanaged the club for the past 3-4 years and instead of taking the steps to correct their mistakes, they are now looking to sweep all of the problems under a rug. How can we let this happen to our community? Aren’t our children, seniors and families worth it?

The next and most important meeting regarding the Pool Club will be held at Middletown's Town Hall onTuesday, February 21st at 8:00pm. All Residents and Pool Club members are highly encouraged to attend.

For more information, e-mail: MiddletownSOS@gmail.com or visit our
"Save the Middletown Swim and Tennis Club" page on FaceBook

Attention All Swim Club Members

Press Release:

This is an urgent call to all members of the

Middletown Swim and Tennis Club, Middletown Residents and Taxpayers.

On the agenda for the Township Committee Workshop Meeting is:

Item l: Swim Club Utility Dissolution/Property Sale

We are requesting all Middletown Swim Club members attend the Township Committee Workshop Meeting to be held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at Town Hall at 8:00 with their children, friends, posters and/or signs. Car pooling is an option.

With the pool club operating with business as usual in 2012 - our Township Committee says there may be an $81,000 shortfall that taxpayers will have to make up for.

Take note: This would be the first time since the club was purchased in 1997 that the town would have to supplement any loss to the club.

Here's how we see it:

If the pool club does not operate at all this year, a $225,000 bond payment still must be paid by Middletown taxpayers.

Solution: The SOS Committee is working on a solid business plan to have our MSTC operate at NO COST to taxpayers. To accomplish this, it HAS TO OPEN THIS SUMMER. Members and Non-members, it is your duty to show your support this Monday night! If it opens all 67,000 of us win!

Our swim club offers an affordable summer comfort for seniors, families, teens and tots and has done so since the 1960s!

What is at stake?

· Summer camps where children can play games, create crafts and swim.

· Availability of swim and tennis lessons for members.

· Organized activities: dive and splash contests, water polo, sharks and minnows, basketball games, Frisbee baseball, candy hunts, bowling trips and water aerobics to name a few.

· Our championship swim team who have brought opportunity to young athletes and pride to our town. Senior citizens enjoying a dip during adult swim or a game of cards with their friends.

· Special events: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Senior Day and Family Fun Nights with music and fun activities for the whole family.

Middletown Swim and Tennis Club is a safe, fun-filled haven for families to connect, relax and make friends. It has produced an Olympic medalist and elite Navy Seal. It is an asset to our community and important center of summer activities for families in Middletown Township.

Please plan to attend to support our town summer center for fun!

Your presence at Monday’s meeting is critical!!

Save Our Swim Club Committee
For more information see our Facebook Page