Toms River Begins Surf Club's Final Demolition In Ortley Beach

TOMS RIVER, NJ — When Superstorm Sandy struck on Oct. 29, 2012, among the first structures affected by the storm's onslaught was Joey Harrison's Surf Club.

The next day the iconic club — home to summer memories for thousands of Jersey Shore residents and visitors for more than four decades — was in shambles.

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In the nine years since, parts of the debris have been removed as rebuilding efforts started and stopped. But some of the building has lingered.

No longer. On Tuesday, Toms River began the final demolition of the surf club, the start of the process to turn the property into more beachfront for the township.

Township Mayor Maurice Hill, Council President Kevin Geoghegan, Council Vice President Maria Maruca, and Councilman Matt Lotano were at the site to oversee the beginning of the demolition work, which is being performed by Two Brothers Contracting of Totowa.

The council approved a contract award for $212,800 at a special council meeting Nov. 16.

"I am so glad to finally get this project going," Maruca said. "A lot of effort by many have gone into this project and today marks the start of an improved and expanded beachfront in Ortley."

The $7.3 million purchase of the property — the result of a three-way agreement between Toms River, Ocean County and the state Department of Environmental Protection — is anticipated to be completed by the end of December.

The DEP is paying about $6.6 million of the total, and Toms River is spending $1.1 million, part of which is being offset by Ocean County's $1.88 million pending purchase of township-owned land located next to Cattus Island Park and the Ocean County College. That land sale to the county was authorized by a 6-1 vote in January and was expected to be finalized this fall.

In August, the council authorized the payment of $685,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund for part of its share of the surf club purchase.

The township and the DEP are working out a formal management and use agreement that details the terms and conditions of Toms River's use of the property, including the addition of restrooms, extension of the boardwalk, and adding of landscaping and benches.

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