Lacey To Put $45M Recreation Center Question Before Voters

LACEY, NJ — Lacey Township voters will be asked this Election Day whether the township should move forward with borrowing up to $45 million for a proposed community recreation center on township-owned land next to Gille Park.

The non-binding referendum will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election ballot.

The project under review calls for an approximately 63,000-square-foot township-owned facility on Bob Court Lane. The proposed center is intended to serve as a year-round community gathering place with recreational, aquatic, wellness, youth, senior and community programming for Lacey residents.

The public question asks: “Should the Township of Lacey be authorized to issue bonds in an amount of Forty-Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000) for the construction, furnishing and equipping of a new community recreation facility to be operated in partnership with the YMCA, providing recreational, aquatic, wellness, youth, senior and community programming to be paid through municipal debt service in the annual operating budget and the amount will be financed through local property taxes?”

Based on the current concept and financing assumptions, the township estimates the cost to design, engineer and build the facility at about $45 million. Township materials state the estimated annual property tax impact would be about $230 for the average Lacey Township homeowner. The township also notes those figures are estimates and may change as the project and financing assumptions are refined.

Township residents would receive a 15 percent discount on YMCA memberships, which could be in addition to income-based membership assistance.

Programming outlined in the project vision includes an aquatic center with an eight-lane pool and recreation pool, a gymnasium with an indoor running track, fitness and group exercise spaces, child watch and teen programming areas, adult and universal locker rooms, multipurpose community rooms, administrative and support spaces, and room for community partnerships and programming.

Township materials say the contemplated initial term of a Lacey Township-YMCA partnership would be 20 years once the facility is available for use, with two additional 15-year renewal options. The same materials state the YMCA’s investment in day-to-day operations is estimated to exceed $2 million per year and that the organization would pay to equip and furnish the facility to support programming.

The township says the referendum is meant to give voters an opportunity to provide input on the project and its financing.