Monmouth County Could Get Indoor Aquatic Center At Former School Site

MONMOUTH CO., NJ — The Monmouth County Park System announced that a public aquatic center could be in the near future for residents, and officials are seeking feedback on the possible project.

The Park System contracted with design team Counsilman-Hunsaker to do a feasibility study analysis for the proposed indoor aquatic center. This aquatics design firm has worked on several other projects in the Garden State, including the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Wellness and Events Center in Newark, and a health and wellness center in Ridgewood.

Andrew J. Spears, director of the Monmouth County Park System, told Patch that county commissioners are looking into the need for a public aquatic center. He said the online survey will indicate residents' interests in aquatic programs, and help develop cost estimates for construction of any project.

"The center, if constructed, would support competitive swim programs, including those offered by area high schools, as well as instructional and fitness aquatic programs," he told Patch.

The survey closes on Wednesday, Nov. 22. In the survey, residents are asked their general opinion about a future indoor aquatic center, as well as their level of interest in certain activities, and how often they visit one of the other indoor aquatic centers nearby for fitness, recreation, competition, or other programs.

Spears said several sites are being considered for a possible location, including the former Port Monmouth Elementary School in Middletown. The Board of Education voted to close that school during a contentious board meeting in March of 2020.

Though the building was considered for a youth recreation center and used as a props and makeup hub for a movie production, it has been vacant since.