Lakehurst Council Reduces Community Center Rental Fees

The Lakehurst Borough Council approved changes for the rental of its Community Center, lowering fees in hopes of making the hall more accessible to residents.

The previous rental fee of about $1,500 per session was "out of reach," said Councilmember Gary Lowe, who along with Councilmember Robin Busch spearheaded the changes to the terms approved by the borough council during its regular meeting Thursday night. 

"Nobody was able to use it and it's a community center," Lowe said. The approved ordinance lowers the rental price to $200 per session.

The center is available for rental on Friday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, two rental periods are available each day: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

In addition to the rental fee a $200 deposit is required that will be refunded "if the hall has been cleaned and the tables and chairs arranged" as according to the floor plan, the ordinance states. 

Should both time periods on Saturday and Sunday be available, a resident can rent the hall for the entire day for $400, plus the $200 refundable deposit. Money made through the fee will go back into the building, Lowe said. 

Lowe decided took on the issue after some locals approached him and complained about the fee.

"Some residents wanted to rent it, and then they found out the amount," he said. "It should be open to the community. It pays for itself if we rent it out."

The center has been used mainly by nonprofit organizations in the borough. Though other borough areas, such as Lake Horicon, are available to those from other towns, Community Center rentals are restricted to Lakehurst residents.

"It's the Lakehurst Community Center," Lowe said. "This was something mainly just for the residents so they can use something in their town."

The council must approve alcohol consumption in the hall before events, the resolution states, and smoking is only permitted outside in designated areas.

The borough recommends making reservations six months in advance and payment in full — which can be made by cash, money order or certified, cashier's or personal check — must be made within two weeks of the reservation, according to the ordinance. 

Non profit organizations based in Lakehurst can use the hall free of charge for a meeting or special event, the former of which requires a $100 refundable deposit, the ordinance states.

Reservations fees are non-refundable once paid unless a written request is made to the council, which will then be voted on through a resolution, according to the ordinance.