County and YMCA to pool money to expand facility
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - The South Brunswick Family YMCA has a threephased expansion plan that first calls for the construction of an indoor pool and improved lobby area, according to executive director Tom Libassi.

Libassi said he would like the first phase to begin before the end of the year. The second phase would include a gymnasium and a community wellness center and would start within three to five years, while the third phase would feature a family fun or leisure pool. This last phase would hopefully begin within seven to 10 years.

The first phase will cost $4.5 million, $3 million of which will be paid for by a grant provided by Middlesex County. There will be a capital campaign started soon to raise the additional $1.5 million that is needed.

Libassi said the community definitely supports the building of the indoor pool. He noted that various surveys, including one done byMonmouth Design, have been conducted that backs this up.

"Most people asked said that the Y is the ideal entity to construct and run a pool," he said.

Libassi added that input was received from the high school swim coach and its athletic director. The pool will be used by the high school's swim team when it is completed.

Libassi said he hopes to put the project up for a bid and go in front of the Planning Board in July. Integrated Aquatics Engineering, out of Doylestown, Pa., and Cornerstone Architectural Group, out of South Plainfield, worked on the pool design. Accurate Engineering is working on the site engineering.