Presentation Paints Proposed Lacey YMCA As A Community Hub

LACEY, NJ — Lacey Township officials held a special meeting on a proposed YMCA partnership, with supporters describing a long-sought community hub and critics questioning taxes, debt and transparency.

Mayor Steven Kennis opened the meeting by asking attendees to “be open-minded and think objectively during this presentation.” He said the township-owned 10-acre property between Wawa on Lacey Road and Gille Park is the township’s remaining chance to create a town center or town square. Kennis said the proposal is aimed at enhancing quality of life and creating community space in Lacey Township.

Kennis said the YMCA would provide “a place to play, to learn, to be healthy, and to interact with other people in our town.” He said it could offer child care for parents, job training for young adults, connections for seniors and a safe place for children.

Rod Grozier, who presented on behalf of the YMCA team, said, “We’re here tonight talking about a missing piece, a void in the heart of this community, and that’s a community center, a why.” He said Lacey Township is “ready for its own YMCA” and described possible uses including summer day camp, senior programming, swim instruction, teen activities and volunteer opportunities.

Danny Forrester, also with the YMCA team, said a needs assessment found “a significant lack of indoor aquatics in Lacey.” He said mental health, social isolation and youth risk behaviors were recurring themes in that process. Forrester said the township and YMCA are working on a draft community benefits agreement that currently includes 32 proposed benefits.

According to Forrester, those include a 10 percent membership discount for Lacey residents, a 20 percent discount for local businesses with 10 or more participating employees, needs-based financial assistance and free lifeguard training and certification. He also said the facility would have a local advisory board with a township-appointed seat and could expand access to counseling and social services, child care, summer camp, after-school programs and swim instruction.

Forrester said the existing partnership tied to the Lacey Township High School swim team now requires students to travel to Toms River to use a pool.

“We can not only just bring that to Lacey, but then there’s so many ways that we can expand that existing partnership with the school district,” he said.

Opposition centered on the township’s finances. Steve Bahrle of Forked River said he represents taxpayers who oppose what he called a YMCA tax increase. Bahrle said the township is “already $32 million in debt and growing larger every year” and called the proposal “irresponsible and wrong.”

Jeremy Grunin, vice chair of the board of the YMCA of the Jersey Shore, said the proposal is meant to address need in southern Ocean County.

“This is your community center. The YMCA is the operator,” Grunin said.

The question of whether to build the YMCA will be on the ballot come November.

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