Work gets under way on new playing fields BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer JEFF GRANIT staff Trucks unload dirt at the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522, as a project that will add playing fields and other amenities gets under way. MANALAPAN - Work is under way along Route 522 on new sports fields and other amenities at the Manalapan Recreation Center. Municipal officials and volunteers attended a Sept. 27 groundbreaking ceremony for the $4 million project. Mayor Andrew Lucas said the day was the culmination of several years of hard work by dedicated township officials and volunteers. He said people should be using the expanded center in short order. Members of the recreation advisory board were present at the ceremony. Lucas said the board's chairman, Michael Gross, had a personal obligation that prevented him from attending. Lucas said Gross has shown dedication to Manalapan's recreation programs and projects. This phase of the expansion provides for the construction of three baseball fields (one full-size field, two smaller fields), one basketball court, a tot lot, one soccer field, restrooms, parking lots and a fitness trail. The work at the recreation center includes the installation of a synthetic turf field that can be used for several sports. Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth said that at tonight's meeting of the Township Committee the members of the governing body will discuss the options for providing a splash pad (water facility) at the recreation center. Gross said he has ascertained that Manalapan will not be eligible to apply for a Green Acres grant for the construction costs of installing a splash pad. The work is estimated at between $350,000 and $400,000. Gross said eligibility is based on population numbers generated by the 2000 census. According to the 2000 census, Manalapan had 33,423 residents (up from 26,716 in the 1990 census). The Monmouth County Planning Board estimated Manalapan's 2005 population at 38,310 residents. Gross said Manalapan will be able to apply for a loan at a 2 percent interest rate that can be repaid over 20 years. He said he will attend tonight's Township Committee meeting in order to recommend that the governing body consider using a loan to pay for the splash pad. The construction of a splash pad at the recreation center was one of the recent suggestions made to the recreation advisory board by the retiring director of Manalapan's summer recreation program. It was stated that having a water facility available might help boost the decreasing summer recreation enrollment.