Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA Open Through September 27

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ, JULY 8, 2020

The Summit Area YMCA (SAY) is ecstatic to announce that the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA is now open through September 27! We are excited to welcome the community to enjoy the brand new, state-of-the-art, Olympic sized, outdoor, heated pool surrounded by gorgeous natural landscaping for an extended summer season this year.

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ENJOY MEMBERSHIP SAVINGS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

Act now to enjoy a special membership offer to join the pool in August & September! 
Delight yourself in leisure time, lap swimming, swim lessons and more at the brand new outdoor pool!

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The brand new outdoor community pool featuring two diving boards and a zero-entry kiddie pool provides a welcoming outdoor environment for all, a competitive atmosphere for our swim teams, a safe place for youth swim lessons, adult aquatic exercise, lap swimmers and family time. Access to the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA is not included as part of any other Summit Area YMCA memberships, however all are welcome to join. Due to COVID-19 capacity limitations, some of our offerings for the 2020 pool season have changed. We appreciate the patience our community members have provided us, adapting as needed in these uncertain times. Any additional changes/updates will be shared with registered participants as new information becomes available.


 

The Berkeley Heights Community Pool was established in 1964 by a group of residents who wanted to provide a safe, fun, relaxing summer setting for the town to enjoy, and has served families in Berkeley Heights and surrounding neighborhoods every summer since then.

In 2016, the Berkeley Heights Community Pool sought the assistance of the Summit Area YMCA in managing pool operations. On April 4, 2017, the Berkeley Heights Township Council unanimously approved an ordinance that set the terms for a 50-year lease with the YMCA, which ensured the continued existence of both the YMCA and the Berkeley Heights Community Pool on the condition that the Y make improvements to the existing pool and grounds, build a new outdoor pool within the first six years of the lease and new YMCA facility. It was then that the SAY adopted full management of the community with the pool taking on the name of the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA.

In 2019, the Summit Area YMCA broke ground on the 59 Locust Ave location in Berkeley Heights to construct a 40,000 square foot facility that provides childcare, early education, recreational fitness and other resources, including the entirely new Olympic-sized long-course outdoor heated pool to the local community.

“Today marks the culmination of over four years of this site being shifted from the historic home of the Berkeley Heights Community Pool to the Berkeley Heights YMCA and Community Pool. We are so grateful to all of our partners, especially Berkeley Heights Township, who have helped us cross the finish line for this project during these difficult and challenging times. Our new pool is a state-of-the-art long course competition pool with diving boards, slide and separate zero-entry child pool. A special regenerative filter will eliminate significant waste of water while giving the pool water that unique crystal blue visual.” said Paul Kieltyka, President & CEO of the Summit Area YMCA. “The heater will allow our pool to extend operations well beyond your traditional Memorial Day and Labor Day window. Our decks and surrounding space will eventually accommodate over 400 chairs and our pool house will allow for locker, shower and bathroom use. We will continue to ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to use this pool, regardless of your financial situation. This pool is for ALL, and we are humbled, honored and thrilled to present you this incredible community benefit.”

Some things to look forward to:

• Its Olympic-size means more members can enjoy all that it has to offer.
• The pool facilities are handicap accessible and the depth of the pool will allow for two new diving boards and eventually, a brand new family-friendly slide that meets all safety standards.
• Families with young children will be thrilled with the new zero entry kiddie pool that is conveniently located near a brand new fenced-in playground.
• The installation of a new pool heater will provide for a more comfortable, extended pool season, this year which we plan to run through the end of September.

“The Berkeley Heights Community Pool has been a part of our community for more than 50 years. So many generations have grown up at the pool during the summer.” said Tiffany Escott, Executive Director of the Berkeley Heights YMCA. “Children have learned to swim at the pool, became a part of the swim team, or was offered their first job. I am excited to continue these traditions and build more memories. We are so excited for everything that the pool will have to offer. We are looking forward to welcoming you to the brand new Berkeley Heights YMCA pool.”

As always, our top priority is your health and safety. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Summit Area YMCA has adopted numerous new policies and put many new protocols in place to keep you and your loved ones safe while you enjoy the new pool complex. We will be abiding by all guidelines and regulations from the Governor of New Jersey and Department of Health, like reduced capacity, regularly sanitizing the facility and high traffic, high touch areas of the pool, enforcing the wearing of face coverings where possible, encouraging social distancing and more. For complete details on updated pool rules, regulations, FAQ, and COVID-19 related safety measures and general participation policies, please visit www.thesay.org/BHCP/rules-FAQ.

We at the Summit Area YMCA are dedicated to creating a fun and memorable pool experience and to serve you with the personal service that has distinguished our Y for over 130 years.

As a nonprofit community organization, we believe that everyone should have an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive; therefore, we offer financial assistance to individuals and families in need of membership and programs with the Summit Area YMCA. Please inquire at our welcome desk or visit www.thesay.org/FA for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you to the fully upgraded and brand new Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA!

To register for a membership or learn more about the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA, please visit www.thesay.org/bhcp. If you have specific questions regarding the new facility or regarding any of our updated policies, please contact us here.

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About the Summit Area YMCA

The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, the Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Each year, we serve over 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those with demonstrated need.