Ocean City Aquatic Center closing for renovations in August

For over 40 years, the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center has been a unique perk for residents of Cape May County's northernmost community.

Located inside the Community Center at the corners of Simpson and Haven Avenues off 18th Street, you also find the Ocean City Public Library in the same building.

But after 46 years of continuous usage, the Aquatic Center needs repairs, according to Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian; reports say the pool's main draining deck is failing and needs to be replaced.

In a press release from the Ocean City Department of Community Services, the following update was given about when the Aquatic Center will be closing for renovations:

Beginning on Sunday, August 4, the Aquatic & Fitness Center pool and natatorium will be closed for a much-needed renovation project. The project will include replacement of the main drains, repair, and re-plastering of the pool, addition of tiled lane lines, improvements and repairs to the gutter system, and a complete renovation of the pool deck.
We anticipate the project to take 6 to 8 weeks and conclude sometime in late September. However, as many of you know, there are a variety of factors at play with any construction project, so the exact date of completion will become clearer as the project progresses.

Residents and non-residents with memberships are being offered the option to freeze their accounts during the project.

Dan Kelchner, the Ocean City Director of Community Services, explained at the June 27th city council meeting that this timeline for the Renovations was chosen because it will allow the Aquatic Center to be ready for the 2024-25 competitive swim season.