JCC invites public input on expansion to the mainland

Last Updated on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 12:00 pm Written by SUZANNE MARINO Monday, December 10, 2012 11:31 pm

LINWOOD – The Milton and Betty Katz Jewish Community Center has been considering expansion onto the mainland for more than a decade, but according to executive director Jack Fox, it has always been just a discussion.

However, after conducting a community survey and having small parlor meetings with members, the JCC has decided to move forward and seek input from residents living on the mainland and surrounding area to determine what they might be looking for as far as programming.

A public meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 at the Linwood Country Club, 500 Shore Road.

A preliminary survey conducted by the JCC indicates that members are looking for a comprehensive swim program with the facilities to support it, an Olympic-sized indoor pool, and an outdoor pool with kid-friendly amenities in a park-like setting.

“We did a survey, but now we want to hear what the people think about the idea and what they would like to see included in a JCC program on the mainland,” said Fox.

“We have talked about this since we moved to Margate 14 years ago. The demographics told us that we needed to be in Margate. The last decade the demographics have changed, and there are more families living on the mainland requesting our service, and we expect that to continue,” he said.

“A facility like this would not take away from what we have in Margate; we honestly feel it complements what we have at the JCC and it would enhance our ability to offer more to our families.” 

The town hall-style meeting is being held at Linwood Country Club to help those in attendance visualize what the facility would entail, because Linwood Country Club is a location under consideration for the swimming facility.

“Given the current economy, partnering with another entity is always a good choice,” Fox said. “Linwood Country Club has a great location. A facility such as this requires a lot of space, not just for the pool and the surrounding amenities area, but also for parking.”

He said that if the JCC decides to move forward with the project, the location chosen would be one that offers room for expansion.

Fox any decision to move forward would depend upon the ability of the JCC to raise the money needed to fund the expansion.

Child care will be available at the meeting. There will also be a drawing for two tickets to any Spirit Airlines destination and a chance to win a JCC family membership.

Anyone planning to attend is asked to notify Julie Fink, director of fundraising and special events at (609) 822-1167 ext 159.