Manasquan Approves $5M Bond For 'Fieldhouse' Shared Services

MANASQUAN – The Manasquan Borough Council on Monday approved a $5 million bond issue connected to a shared services agreement with local schools to upgrade the district's facilities, including a new multi-purpose fieldhouse that will have no impact on taxes, officials said.

The facility will be equipped with a state-of-the-art weight training facility, a dedicated wrestling room and a 160’ x 160’ turf field, the district said.

The district said the project will solve a number of issues schools are facing with regards to providing sanitary and safe space for teams to practice on-campus.

The proposal is budget-neutral, officials say, replacing existing debt with a new longer-term loan that will have no impact on taxes or sending district tuition.

According to the proposal:

• The district currently has no wrestling facility, the weightlifting room is obsolete (housed in a converted grounds garage behind elementary school) and athletic space is limited, particularly in inclement weather
• The bleachers and gym floor have been replaced; however, the locker rooms are deteriorating and in need of upgrades. Prior to the gym renovations, no major upgrades had taken place in the gym or locker rooms since 1965
• The community has a need for recreational facilities for everyone from the children to seniors
• Practices for several sports are currently being held off-campus at the Sea Girt Army Camp
• The Board of Education and the Borough of Manasquan lack a large indoor space capable of hosting events and meetings, in particular when consideration must be given to social distance

The solution, officials say, is a shared-services agreement with the Borough of Manasquan to upgrade the facilities through a municipal bond.

The proposed facilities upgrade included:

• 200’ x 160’ indoor training facility
• 160’ x 160’ indoor fully lit turf field lined for multiple sports
• State-of-the-art weight training room
• Dedicated sanitary wrestling space
• Retractable batting cages
• Bathrooms and storage
• Gym renovations

Other facility upgrade considerations pending fieldhouse bid:

• Locker room upgrades
• Baseball field upgrades
• Cafetorium gym floor encapsulation

The project will be funded by the proposed shared services bond ordinance of approximately $4,725,000 and approximately $900,000 of district funds to offset site work and other costs for a total estimated construction cost of $5,400,000.

Here is the proposed tax burden: