Mountainside Officials Show Residents Aging Pool Conditions, Say Facility Will Not Close ...

The Mountainside Community Pool has served the borough for 60 years. The infrastructure underneath it hasn't kept pace.

On Monday night, Mountainside Recreation Director Frank Masella led residents on a firsthand tour of the facility — the pool deck, pump house, and filtration system — laying out a picture of deferred maintenance and compounding operational risk that borough officials can no longer defer. Union County Life is covering the process as Mountainside moves toward a decision that will shape the facility's future for decades.

A second public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8 at Borough Hall, where officials will present renovation options, cost estimates, and next steps.

What the Tour Revealed

The pool holds 450,000 gallons and is currently losing thousands of gallons per day — a rate that goes beyond normal evaporation and is believed to be affecting the pool deck, surrounding turf, and possibly the pool building itself, which has shown signs of settlement.

Masella identified several compounding infrastructure problems during the tour:

• Aging underground cast iron pipes

• Settling and uneven concrete decking

• Rust entering the filtration system

• Electrical grounding issues requiring recent emergency repairs

• A gravity-fed circulation system that was standard at construction but now creates operational constraints

The facility's two basins share a single filtration system — a configuration that means a problem in one pool could force both to shut down simultaneously.

Modifications made over the years were characterized as temporary fixes rather than structural solutions.

The Core Planning Challenge

The pool's design reflects mid-20th century municipal construction standards. A 50-meter competition pool with gravity-fed circulation and shared filtration was a reasonable configuration in the 1960s. Today, it limits operational flexibility, complicates maintenance, and creates redundancy risk that a modern facility would not carry.

The daily water loss compounds those concerns. Until the source is isolated and addressed, the borough is managing symptoms rather than the underlying condition.

What Renovation Could Look Like

One concept presented Monday would divide the existing 50-meter pool into separate sections, each with its own independent filtration system. That approach would allow one section to remain operational if another required closure — eliminating the current all-or-nothing risk profile.

The concept also includes a zero-depth entry activity pool, which would expand programming capacity for young families and make swim lessons during regular operating hours feasible. The current layout makes that difficult.

No option has been selected and no project scope has been finalized.

The Borough's Position Heading Into July 8

Mayor Paul Mirabelli has drawn one firm line: the pool will not close during the 2026 summer season.

"We're not going to lose any pool time this summer," Mirabelli said. Any work, he confirmed, would be scheduled between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The commitment drew applause from residents in attendance.

On the broader question, Mirabelli was measured.

"At some point, we're going to have to make a decision as to whether we do a full renovation or what the options might be," he said. "We want to hear from the town people, our residents."

The July 8 meeting at Borough Hall will present options and cost estimates and take resident questions. Residents may also submit questions in advance.

Stay informed about Mountainside news and announcements on Union County Life.

FAQ

Will the Mountainside Community Pool close this summer?
No. Mayor Mirabelli confirmed the pool will remain open for the full 2026 season. Any construction work would be scheduled between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

What infrastructure problems does the Mountainside pool have?
The 60-year-old facility is experiencing daily water loss of thousands of gallons, aging underground cast iron pipes, a shared filtration system serving both basins, settling concrete, and electrical grounding issues that required recent emergency repairs.

When is the next public meeting about the Mountainside pool?
Tuesday, July 8 at Borough Hall. Officials will present renovation options, cost estimates, and next steps and take resident questions.

What renovation options are under consideration?
One concept would divide the existing 50-meter pool into independently filtered sections and add a zero-depth entry activity pool. No final decision has been made and no project scope has been approved.

How can Mountainside residents participate in the decision?
Attend the July 8 public meeting at Borough Hall. Residents may also submit questions in advance.