Pools feeling budget crunch
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
3/21/2010

Council members and representatives from the 13 swim clubs throughout the township met recently to discuss ways the swim clubs could increase their revenues and decrease costs during this difficult economy.

The swim clubs have long been a part of the Cherry Hill community, Mayor Bernie Platt said, but participation and membership have drifted downward in the past few years. The economy and competition have driven membership and funding away from the swim clubs.

Finding new ways to invigorate the pool scene and sustain a lasting tradition in the community should be a top priority moving forward, he said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the Cherry Hill swim clubs are part of the fabric of our community and define many of our neighborhoods. Going forward, I will be working with town council to investigate ways for us to preserve our clubs and make sure they stay strong and solvent in the future,” he said. “Whether that is through collective purchasing agreements or the donation of RecycleBank points, the township is working to find new cost-saving options for our swim clubs.”

Cherry Hill swim clubs are in a rough spot right now, Dave Wynne said. Wynne, coordinator of the Cherry Hill Association of Pools, said he’s surprised each summer when some of the 13 swim clubs in the township can open their doors to the public for the season.

Money is tight and memberships are down, he said, which is why this meeting between the township and the association was very important.

“From the surveys we complete each season it’s safe to say that the majority of clubs are losing members each year. I’m amazed that some clubs can even open some years, that they have the money for it,” Wynne said. “We’re in the process right now of looking at some of the cost-saving suggestions the township gave us, and we’re putting together suggestions from the pools in the area.”

Several suggestions from the township, Wynne said, could prove to be fruitful if they can actually be utilized. Township representatives are currently contacting RecycleBank to see if residents can donate their points to the company in turn for monetary donations to the clubs.

There’s an option with RecycleBank to do this for certain charities, Wynne said. It’s unknown if this could be done for neighborhood swim clubs.

The swim clubs could also see their debts refinanced through the Camden County Improvement Authority, Township Council President Dave Fleisher said. This would help consolidate their debts and recognize savings, he said.

“The mayor and council recognize how critical the swim clubs are to our neighborhoods. We want to help them remain in control of their own destiny. Each swim club has a unique set of its own challenges,” he reported.

Finally, the clubs could join together in joint purchasing for supplies they need every summer, Wynne said. This would help save a significant amount of money.

The township has always strived to help its swim clubs because they’re such a recognizable part of each neighborhood, Fleisher said. Currently the township offers each of the 13 clubs trash and recycling pickup services, parking lot maintenance, and leaf collection at no charge.

“We’re looking at even more things that we can do to help support the clubs, help them remain in control of their own destinies,” Fleisher said. “They help create a sense of community. It’s a healthy outlet for our kids, and geographically its represents recreational open space in each of the neighborhoods that can be enjoyed by the residents.”

The township will hold another meeting with the Cherry Hill Association of Pools to discuss the suggestions that the swim clubs have submitted. It will be held at the end of April – time and location yet to be determined – and will be open to the public.