RED BANK – The public was given its turn to ask questions about the fate of the site of the now unusable clay tennis courts on Union Street next to Marine Park at a special Borough Council meeting May 28. Now the decision about which plan will be chosen will be made by the governing body.
The questions and suggestions from the audience of around 120, lasted almost three hours and only ended because the meeting was closed by Councilwoman Linda Schwabenbauer.
First up was Rumson resident James P. Cullen, who has offered to donate $500,000 to the town, of which $400,000 would be used to rebuild the clay courts that were damaged by Sandy, and $100,000 to operate and maintain them.
The Jetsun Enterprises proposal includes a year round ice skating rink, a miniature golf course, boat rental facilities, a visitors center for the borough and a free electric shuttle that would pick up people throughout the town.
The third proposal was presented by Marine Park Activity Center, a local group formed to increase the recreational use of the river by local residents.
The plan to save the clay courts presented by Cullen would be free to borough seniors and those up to 17 years old at selected times.
“I think you have a unique landmark with a great history,” Cullen said of the courts. He said he would like to see a program that encourages young people in the town to play tennis.
The plan sets discounted rates of $150 for unlimited play for borough residents while non-residents would pay $300. Half of the fees would go to the borough.
Jeff Podesta spoke in favor of Cullen’s plan and said that playing tennis was an advantage to young people and research had shown that 81 percent of young tennis players had gone on to college.
The proposal for retaining the tennis courts said, “A key to the project is retaining Rich Nicoletti who has been keeping the facility running in recent years with essentially no operating budget.”
It also said that there be a free, two-week tennis clinic held only for Red Bank residents’ ages 7 to 17.
A small committee, the proposal said, would represent the tennis court facility that would oversee it and would present any plans for changes to the Borough Council.
“Almost everyone who has grown up playing tennis in the United States has done so on hard courts. However when they first get a chance to play on red clay, they realize it is a very special experience. Our goal here is to give the young people of Red Bank this experience,” the proposal said.
The borough would receive 50 percent of moneys raised through fundraising and a yearly tournament the proposal said, which it estimated to raise $50,000 to $60,000.
Stephen Hecht said, “I don’t believe we should have a tennis club” at the site. He asked Cullen if he “would be willing to have the town run it?” referring to the courts.
“I’m open to that,” Cullen replied.
The Jetson plan calls for a “multi-use recreation center” which would have a goal “to get people down to the waterfront, and have a reason to stay there.”
It said, “We firmly believe family recreation is the only appropriate use of this valuable asset.”
Fees for the activities listed in the plan were $9 for the miniature golf course for adults, with children 12 and under paying $8 and $6 for the ice skating rink with a two-for-one on Tuesdays.
Borough residents over 65 and under 4, accompanied by an adult, will have free admission for those activities.
Watersport rentals will range from $20 an hour to $80 for eight hours.
The Jetson group will pay the borough $75,000 a year rent for the property according to its proposal, with a 25-year lease.
Fred Stone questioned the fees and said they might exclude some borough residents from using the facilities. The fees, he said, “might not be trivial,” for some.
Questions were also raised about the extra traffic that could be caused by the facility.
Some residents who lived near Marine Park expressed concern that the complex would bring late night noise and litter on the streets.
Others asked how the town could be assured the venture would succeed, since the partners had not had experience in managing a similar facility.
Chris Paseka said he was in favor of the plan since now there was nothing in the town to do with children but “shop and eat.”
Others felt differently.
“Why would you want to do this to this town?” Shelley Davimos asked. She urged the council to go with the Cullen plan “Take his money, take his money please.”
Sandra Talarico, speaking for the Marine Park Activity Center, said the group believed “the town now has a tremendous opportunity to use the riverside property to create a maritime center that expands the recreational opportunities on the river and becomes a focus of recreation education, and commerce for Red Bank.”
She described the activities of the Navesink River Rowing group and the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association and said the proposed facility would allow for the expansion of these programs as well as additional ones.
Among the activities proposed were adaptive boating, where existing boats are modified for participants who are physically challenged can take part in rowing and sailing programs, rowing, canoeing and small craft sailing as an in-school or after school physical education program, programs for older citizens to keep them active, and rentals that are affordable for kayaks, canoes and paddleboats to allow families and visitors to enjoy the river.
In response to questions about a 20,000-square-foot building in the plan, Talarico said it was included because after reading the request for proposals from the town it was thought that the borough was seeking revenues. She said her group was seeking not-for-profit status.
Their proposal calls for a 15-year-lease from the borough with terms “based on the gradual implementation of revenue producing programs after five years, and fees based on a percentage of revenue generated by programs and the facility thereafter…”
Those who want to comment on the three proposals can do so on the borough’s website where the proposals can be read. They can also be submitted to the Office of the Administrator, 90 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
– By Liz Sheehan
