Despite pleas from the community spanning several months, the Rutherford Board Of Education has decided to move forward with a plan to demolish Rutherford's only community swimming pool. On October 2, Rutherford voters will have the opportunity to oppose this plan in a special referendum by voting NO. The Rutherford Citizens to Save Our Pool advocacy group was formed in response to this plan and a website www.SaveOurPool.us was launched to educate residents about alternate options that spare the pool.
The October 2 referendum seeks approval to issue bonds to pay for facilities upgrades and additions at all 6 public schools. The total cost of the proposed facilities upgrades is over $53 million. Although these plans include many positive elements, the destruction of a multi-million dollar community facility is financially irresponsible, completely unnecessary, and permanent. This is especially troubling given that almost 30% (> $15m) of the total spend is going towards new sports facilities with new gyms at Union and Pierrepont Schools and field upgrades at Rutherford High School. Spending of this magnitude on select sports facilities is incompatible with destruction of equal magnitude of the only public swimming facility in Rutherford. Denying district students the opportunity to learn life-saving skills defies comprehension.
The YMCA, which currently holds the contract for pool management operations and maintenance, has proposed a new contract, which in return for a long-term commitment, would inject much needed capital (> $1 million) for pool improvements, thereby eliminating all operating and capital expenses pertaining to the pool from the RBOE budget. The YMCA recently opened a new pool in East Rutherford and has stated that running two pools concurrently would allow for many additional new programs to be offered to Rutherford residents including a year-round Swim Club, US Master Swim program for adults, and complimentary swim lessons for every 2nd grade child in Rutherford. Additionally, all current programs would continue, including priority pool hours for the RHS Swim Team for practice and swim meets. The Championship Rutherford High School Swim Team, which just won its fourth straight NJIC title in 2018, has practiced at this pool since its first season in 1980.
The pool is used by many groups in addition to the High School swim team, including the YMCA swim teams, the Special Needs program, the Mayor's Wellness Campaign and other local groups. The new long term proposal from the YMCA presents an unprecedented opportunity to negotiate a much improved contract, which would guarantee many new community programs to benefit all citizens of Rutherford. A contract of this nature would be truly transformative to the running of the pool and represents savings to the Rutherford taxpayer of tens of thousands of dollars every year just for the RHS swim team alone. Demolition of the pool is not necessary for the school district to achieve its educational goals. We urge all members of the Community to Vote NO on October 2 to retain this unique and precious community asset.
Rutherford Citizens to Save Our Pool
August 5, 2018