At the heart of every community, are the residents and families who make up that village. Those who are fortunate enough to call the Borough of New Milford home know that it has been and continues to be the type of community with no shortage of heart. Whether it’s those who have stayed for generations or those who are thinking of making a move to relocate, residents look for, among so many other things, outlets and opportunities that allow them to establish roots within their community. In New Milford, those roots are planted by the residents who frequent the Borough’s small businesses, attend schools, and sign up for recreational sports and town clubs and organizations. All of these are assets that foster community growth and allow the town to flourish.

One of the Borough’s greatest assets and longest mainstays is the Swim Club. New Milford Swim Club (“NMSC”) has been a town staple since 1959. For more than 60 years, generations of families have spent their summers enjoying not one, but two pools, a park and playground, basketball courts, a picnic area, and acres of space. A countless number of children have learned to swim at NMSC, and those same children may have even grown up to become lifeguards there themselves. Neighboring summer camps have brought buses of children eager to cool off and enjoy a day of fun in the sun. Through the years, various New Milford camps have blocked an hour or two for kids to walk over and get in a dip at the pool to break up their day. Likewise, a countless number of Seniors have spent days enjoying the facilities with friends, relishing in the moments a lifeguard announces, “Adult swim!” Hot sunny days down at NMSC have not only encouraged swimming lessons and first time jumps off the high dive, but they have also nurtured friendships and created the ideal backdrop for priceless summer memories.

Unfortunately, a wane in membership, costly maintenance, repairs, upkeep, and a two year Pandemic created the perfect storm of financial hardship. Recently, despite a valiant effort by its volunteer Board of Trustee members to keep it going, NMSC faced the difficult decision to close its doors. But perhaps not all hope is lost. The NMSC Board of Trustees recently recognized Marjorie Rivas as Director of the Committee To Restore the New Milford Swim Club in an effort to assist in repairing and renovating the pool through a federally funded Bergen County Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”). Among so many other things, one of the missions of the CDBG program is to collaborate with Bergen County towns to improve their quality of life. The federal funding is used to advance key initiatives that revitalize municipal facilities. Moreover, CDBG sub-grants regularly include eligible municipal infrastructure upgrades.

Since NMSC occupies approximately 10 acres of land that are owned by the Borough of New Milford, any applications for grants must originate from the Borough’s governing body. Please help the NMSC reopen its doors by signing this Petition imploring our Mayor and Council to apply for a federally funded Community Development Block Grant. There is no doubt that the New Milford Swim Club is an invaluable asset to the community and creates a better quality of life for its residents of all ages. Keeping NMSC open will unquestionably continue to benefit the heart of its community for years, and perhaps generations, to come.