The Borough of Wildwood Crest announces the grand reopening ceremony for its newly renovated Beach Pier on Friday, July 11 at 8 p.m.
The Beach Pier is located at the beach entrance at Heather Road, just off the Wildwood Crest bike path and adjacent to the borough’s Scoop Taylor Park Recreation Complex.

Borough Commissioners Don Cabrera, Joyce Gould and Mayor Carl Groon will be on hand.
Formerly the Wildwood Crest Fishing Pier, the structure was built in 1919 and owned and operated by the Wildwood Crest Fishing Club for more than 85 years.
Due to the growth of the Wildwood Crest beaches, the pier was extended numerous times over the years to meet the needs of the club, which at one time included more than 100 members. But, as beach accretion continued in recent years, membership in the private club dwindled and the costs of necessary repairs soared to well beyond its financial capacity. The pier was eventually turned over to the borough in 2006.

Last year, the borough announced plans to renovate the pier, helped by a $400,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which was earmarked for making the pier handicapped accessible. The pier is now in full compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations and provides those with disabilities the opportunity to travel close to the water and enjoy a wonderful beach experience on a structure with stable footing that features hand rails across its entire length.

In all, the renovation project was completed at a cost of approximately $700,000 and was executed by the Wildwood Crest Department of Public Works under the supervision of the borough engineer.
Work began last fall and was completed earlier this year. The renovation project also included the installation of electrical service that encompasses the entire pier.

The pier, which currently reaches the ocean at high tide, provides one of the few places in Cape May County with elevated views of the beach and ocean.
At the July 11 grand reopening ceremony, borough commissioners will announce plans for various programs that can be held on the renovated beach pier, including various exercise programs, live music shows and weddings.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments and musical entertainment, and all attendees will receive a beach tag commemorating the event, which is free and open to the public. Numerous local, county and state officials are also expected to attend.
Those attending the event are welcome to remain on the pier to view the weekly fireworks show in Wildwood at 10:30 p.m.

The borough is continuing with minor additional improvements to the pier and has also announced plans to accept bids for lease of the former clubhouse that sits near the entrance of the pier, with the possibility that the clubhouse will be renovated into a restaurant or retail establishment that will serve both residents and visitors to Wildwood Crest and the beach pier.

The renovated beach pier was opened to the public for the first time on Memorial Day Weekend.
For further information about the Wildwood Crest Beach Pier Grand Reopening Ceremony, call the Wildwood Crest Recreation Department at 609- 523-0202.