July 31, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 7 Ramsey Council awards contracts for pool renovations The Ramsey Council has approved two contracts related to the renovation of the municipal pool. The successful bid- ders are Stoneridge, Inc. of Pennsylvania and RJR Engi- neering of Califon, NJ. According to a council resolution, the specifications for the project provided for the award of two contracts: Con- tract 1 for construction and Contract 2 for pool lighting construction. Stoneridge, Inc. will handle the work associ- ated with Contract 1, which includes the base bid and mul- tiple alternates, such as water features and other elements. That contract was approved in the amount of $1,956,500. Contract 2, which was awarded to RJR, totals $99,000 and concerns the overall lighting of the pool property. The pool project drew several bids, which were received on July 9. The proposals were reviewed by the recommend- ing authorities, and Stoneridge and RJR were deemed the lowest responsible bidders. Both contracts were awarded at last week’s council session. “We’re pleased that the contracts have been awarded to responsible contractors and that the bids came in accor- dance with our estimates,” Ramsey Mayor Christopher Botta said last week. “We’re looking forward to the work getting started in September and having the newly-reno- vated pool open for business next spring. I think it’s going to be a great project and a real asset to the community when completed.” Located on East Oak Street, the municipal pool is now nearing 50 years of age. Earlier this year, borough officials decided to pursue a major upgrade of the facility. Plans call for construction to begin after Labor Day weekend, when the pool will close for the season. Officials hope to com- plete the project in time for the 2014 opening, which is usu- ally around Memorial Day. The move to undertake the pool upgrades stemmed from a 2010 report from the Pool Commission to the borough council. That report indicated that several items would need to be addressed, or there would be a risk of pool clo- sure in the next few years. Plans call for a pool that will comply with the Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act and will consist of a regulation six-lane, 25-meter section for swim meets, practices, and open swim. A zero entry toddler area with age appropriate water features, a shallow entry area with water features, new water slides, and other amenities are also included. A rendering of the proposal for the new municipal pool. This drawing does not include the diving boards that will be part of the plan. Plans also call for the contractor to deepen the pool in one area where two diving boards are to be added. Council President Ken Tyburczy, the governing body’s liaison to the Pool Commission, previously told Villadom TIMES that the borough had held a Regional Build a Pool conference conducted by USA Swimming that was paid for by the Bergen Barracuda Swim Team. After consultations with various pool experts, the borough opted for a redesign rather than a fix that would have been equally expensive, he said. The goal, he added, was a new pool with the proper amount of programming to benefit families for another 50 years. He pointed out the importance of the pool in terms of providing a facility where residents can exercise, and learn how to swim and how to prevent drowning. During that interview, Tyburczy noted that many pool users are looking for new features and programming, expanded hours of operation, and a modernized pool. He also said borough officials anticipate a significant increase in membership once the project has been completed. Non-residents are invited to join the Ramsey Pool.