TOMS RIVER – No, “The Bubble” didn’t pop. It’s being replaced, and officials said it will be ready for December meets.
The bubble’s official name is the Rothman Orthopaedics Sports Complex at the John Bennett Athletic Center, named after a sponsor and a former superintendent.
Superintendent Michael Citta said during a recent Board of Education meeting that the bubble will be completely replaced, reskinned and recabled with a new floor and other amenities.
It’s expected to be ready to open for the first week of December, which is when meets are being scheduled. He said the construction is currently on time.
The sports complex is notable as a place to host games, and other districts can rent it out.
A district representative usually updates the board members every month about money that comes in through sponsorships and rental agreements. During the meeting in early September, the year-to-date total was $141,265.
The construction was discussed along with other projects, framed as items that were completed before school opened.
For example, there was an electric switchgear at Intermediate North that malfunctioned over the summer and started smoking, Citta said. Jersey Central Power & Light responded and it was fixed on August 25, which was good because otherwise there might not have been air conditioning at the school when it opened. They will be lining up engineers for a long-term fix using capitol funding that is already set aside.
Citta also discussed a few other projects such as a new gym floor at South Toms River Elementary, and front signs at East Dover Elementary and Intermediate East.
Other projects are being planned, such as roof remediation at High School South, which will be worked into the district’s five-year plan, he said. Lights that were out at South’s field were not able to be replaced before certain games because the district couldn’t get access to a 110’ boom in time. A fire truck was considered but it would have been too heavy and would have damaged the field.
