Toms River Regional will hold a special meeting today to approve the repair of the Bennett Athletic Center, which ripped and flattened in Hurricane Sandy.
Discussion on whether to repair or replace the "bubble," which was both rented out for sporting tournaments such as winter track meets and used daily by the district as the gymnasium space for Intermediate East, ensued at the November school board meeting.
Residents as well as school board members and officials debated whether the Bennett Bubble should be fixed, replaced or even rebuilt as a brick building, but Toms River Regional Schools Business Administrator Bill Doering said it was paramount to make a decision as soon as possible since the school was without its regular gym space.
Doering said the Bennett center is used by Intermediate East students daily for gym classes, but that the district also is hoping to have the structure fixed because multiple indoor track meets are scheduled for the winter track season, which starts in December. The district wants to honor those contracts, as renting out the Bennett complex is a source of income for the district.
However, residents and board members debated whether repair was the best option. The life span of the fabric that makes up the air structure is 15 years. Board member Alex Pavliv questioned the profitability of the Bennett Center, while residents called for a more detailed look at whether having the site was worth it or whether a brick building would be forth the cost considering it would appreciate as real estate, instead of depreciate from obsolete materials after 15 years.
Doering said the cost to repair the Bubble would be $300,000-400,000, while replacing it could run $800,000 approximately. A completely new building could require a referendum vote, put before voters on a special election day.
The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Toms River High School North.
Somehow the rest of us made it through life with just a gym and field outside. If the income exceeds expenses then rebuild it. If it costs money, remove it.
Not to mention it was an eye sore and the kids hated it, at least all mine did. I say build a brick building. The district would earn the same in revenue, if not more. The bubble was hardly a professional looking building. If you want to make up the difference, you could always rent out for other community functions. Just my opinion.
Besides..... There should be a corridor at the very least, so they dont have to walk outside before and after class....and that stupid heavy revolving door in which my kid got his leg caught, and cost a trip to the ER. REMOVE IT!
That monstrosity would never have been constructed if it had been put on a ballot as a referendum; instead, this was just another one of Ritacco's scams in order to line his pockets. As it was, he tried to get the Schools Construction Corp. to pay for it until they informed him that there was no money for such a project and the taxpayers had to foot the entire bill. The whole thing should be shut down and tossed in the garbage heap.
Oh, wait -- I get it -- you're a -- TRACK PARENT!!! That means that you need to -- must I say it -- DRIVE YOUR KIDS TO MEETS AND PRACTICES!!! OH THE HORROR!!! Guess what -- the majority of us don't have kids in track, or sports, or even in school anymore. I personally am a bit tired of hearing the "for the kids" crap, and no, I'm not moving out of town because I don't like it. Either suck it up and drive your kids, or make them do a more local sport. I hear there's a new softball field across town that my tax dollars also paid for -- use that.
TRRS rents the facility... gets say $5000 per event. The Event Director charges the schools a fee... typically $500 for boys and girls teams... and charges an admission fee. The admission fee is cash but that goes to the Event Director. Many events are run by NJSIAA. The cash portion for TRRS... is the refreshment stand... and we know who runs that... Ritacco former girlfriend... who also runs 1144 cafe... and Pinebelt arena refreshment stand.
Depends on how good the air circulation system is...
You just don't like facing the facts... Thanks for the complement... how many times do I need to tell you that I'm an expert at most subjects...
Christ, the man is locked up and they STILL worship his backside!!!
Maybe if they put that monstrosity back in place they'll put in a better ventilation system so the same thing that happened to my child won't happen to other children.