Vote NO

October 2

Vote NO on October 2 to Demand a Smarter Plan, Better Options Exist!

WHY SAVE THE RUTHERFORD COMMUNITY POOL?

WHY does the School's Administration & RBOE want to 're-purpose'/'destroy' our Community Pool?

    • This is not a cost issue; it would cost us more to get rid of the pool than to keep it.
      • The YMCA's offer includes more than $1.2 million in direct capital improvements for the pool. Their offer also clearly stated that the goal is for the BOE to have little to no expense or responsibility for the ongoing operation and maintenance for the pool. This is a rare negotition opportunity that should not be squandered.
      • If the pool were to be demolished, it would cost Rutherford taxpayers thousands of dollars every year to rent another facility and bus our HS swim team students to an out of town pool.
    • This is not a space issue. We have sufficient space.
      • Several other viable affordable options exist for the academic needs at the High School.
    • This is not a use issue. The pool is heavily used and needed.
      • The pool is used by numerous local groups in addition to the HS swim team. Thousands of children, adults, senior citizens and families have benefited from this pool being right in the heart of our town.
      • The YMCA has stated that they need both the new YMCA pool and the Rutherford pool in order to offer the residents of Rutherford and both swim teams the full range of aquatic programs needed.
    • Nobody in our Community is demanding that the pool should be demolished.
      • Quite the opposite, the vast majority of feedback and speakers at RBOE meetings this year have been solidly in favor of saving the pool.
    • Then why?
      • The Administration and Board Members have stated they view the pool as a school only issue. However this is a Community issue and it is the entire Community that will provide the direction for the future of the pool.

ALTERNATE OPTIONS

  • The School's Administration presented two alternate options that would spare the pool.
    • Option 3
      • This is a single story new addition building adding $2.5 million to the budget.
      • This option has a 'guestimated' 15% impact to the field because of the kitchen & service court.
      • This is only a guesstimate because under questioning, the architect admitted he never measured the field.
    • Option 4
      • This is a 2 story new addition cafeteria/science labs building adding $6 million to the budget.
      • This option does not impact the field because the kitchen/service court is not located at the HS.
  • Option '5' - click here to view
    • If the kitchen complex is removed from Option 3 (to make it a like-for-like comparison to Option 4, which does not include locating the kitchen complex at the high school), then the impact to the field is also removed, and this then becomes a viable option.
    • This single story option is $3.5 million less expensive than the option the President of the BOE presented to the YMCA in response to the long term pool management offer presented at the April 30th RBOE meeting.
  • Option '6', '7' ,'8' ...
    • Other alternate options exist, but were not explored.
    • Options exist to build over the pool, build in the bus parking lot, build over or replace any of the existing single story buildings are just some of the potential options that could be explored.
  • Repeated requests to hire another architect for a fresh perspective and an alternate viewpoint were denied.

IMPROVE THE POOL!

  • The YMCA's $1.2 million offer would take care of the required upgrades needed for the pool.
  • The changing rooms and restrooms should be refreshed.
  • Dr. Murray Elters, Jr., the visionary President of the Rutherford Board of Education at the time of the pool's founding, had wanted to add a retractable roof to make the pool more appealing for summer use. Unfortunately this option was not funded.
  • Dr. Elters' vision could be yet fulfilled by hiring an architect with the appropriate expertise. Options range from opening the roof to adding windows or a wall of doors that could be opened.
  • Improving the landscaping in the outdoor courtyard with picnic tables and seating would transform that space.
  • BOE & Borough Hall could jointly explore applying for and obtaining state, federal & other grants

Vote NO on October 2