POLL: Joining Middletown Swim Club?

Now that the once-sinking has , will membership be full for this season?

It’s a question that has weighed on residents’ and officials’ minds since things started looking opening under township management.

There were comments on Patch indicating that hundreds of past Middletown club members were quick to jump what they knew to be the sinking ship and sign on with other area clubs because of the ambivalence in a decision on Middletown’s opening.

“People were told that Middletown would not be operating the club,” Mayor Tony Fiore said. “But, they were also told that they’d have an answer in April as to whether or not the club would open under new management. And, they did have their answer.” 

Now that the non-profit NJ Junior Titans is officially leasing the club and the township last night approved an ordinance for the group to buy it, there’s no doubt that it will be open this summer.

While, according to the unanimously-adopted ordinance, the Titans have until the end of the year to close on the $1.37 million sale, the organization is moving forward with plans to construct an indoor ice rink where the tennis courts now stand. The buyer is expected to close on the sale in June or July.

The Titans have plans for what will eventually be transformed into Ice World Middletown, which will still include swimming. Those plans are slated to be presented before the Planning Board for approval.

The club, as members know it, however, will be open for summer business while the transformation begins and is under way, Fiore said.

The township no longer has anything to do with the club’s management, but officials have been assisting the Titans in the transition for this season.

There have been indications that membership registration for the swim club has been going slowly. The Titans have announced that there will be an open house to get to know the new managers and register for membership from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 21, 22 and 28 at the Harmony Road club.

“I’m completely comfortable with the new operators; and, myself and entire governing body hope and urge all residents to join the swim club for this and future summers,” Fiore said.

So, have you joined the swim club for this season yet? Will you or will you go or have you joined elsewhere? If so, where? Give us your answers in the poll below and comment to elaborate.