Cape May's new lifeguard headquarters is cramped and poorly ventilated. Photo by Jack Fichter

CAPE MAY - Cramped and poorly ventilated.

That's the description of the beach patrol's newly rebuilt Lifeguard Headquarters from Ray Roberts, of Reming-ton and Vernick, the city's contracted engineering firm.

Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. suggested a second floor may need to be added to the building.

He said a lot of money was spent but the city wound up with “less than it started with.”

The mayor described the building as very cramped and not a good morale builder for lifeguards.

At a July 22 City Council meeting, Roberts described a number of problems with the building including stand-ing water in locker rooms and high heat and humidity due to windows that do not open and no air conditioning.

He said the original plans for the building called for a two-story building on the current site that including air conditioning on both floors but bids came in way over budget at $875,000. The second floor was eliminated from the design, which would have contained office space for captain and lieutenants, lockers, showers and the first aid room.

Air conditioning was also removed from plans for the new Lifeguard Headquarters. Roberts said shower rooms were hot and damp. He said the first aid room is now on the first floor in a hallway.

The women's locker room lost 30 square feet of space while the men's locker room gained 40 feet, he said.
The reduced Lifeguard Headquarters carried a price tag of $415,000, said Roberts. He said after the end of summer, floors in locker rooms would be ripped up and drainage issues corrected which is the responsibility of the contractor.

The building has a temporary certificate of occupancy. Roberts said there are no stairs leading to a lookout deck. He suggested a spiral staircase be installed.

About $20,000 remains on the construction contract for Lifeguard Headquarters but that would not cover the cost of the staircase and railings on handicap accessible ramps, said Roberts.

Mahaney suggested installing handicap ramps to the beach at the headquarters.

Deputy Mayor Linda Steenrod said she could not imagine 26 women using the women's locker room when it was only big enough for eight persons. She noted standing water on the floor.

Interim City Manager Bruce MacLeod said windows in the locker rooms were fixed and not meant to open.
Remington and Vernick Engineer Paul Martin said an exhaust fan system ran in the building from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. He said the installation of air conditioning would remedy ventilation problems.

The mayor said he would seek prices from the contractor for additional items and consult with the city's Public Works Department and Construction Official.