Hey guys. I've been reading this website for years, but never felt compelled to register and comment until now.

I went swimming at the new Lafayette pool for the first time on Tuesday and had a really great time. It was a perfectly fine, (seemingly) safe experience. I've lived downtown since 2006 (and in JSQ prior to that), so I've never really experienced much of the JC "ghetto." I rode my bike there, and realized that the ghetto isn't really that bad if you're there early in the morning.(I showed up at the pool around 8am.) The streets are quiet, presumably because all the crackheads are sleeping

Really though, there was only 2 other people there swimming. The lap pool is apparently empty every morning according to the lifeguards. Speaking of which, the lifeguards are all kids in their late teens or early 20's, who were all perfectly professional and friendly to me.

So, with that said, if you're thinking about heading over for lap swimming, don't be afraid. Statistically speaking, crime usually only happens in the ghetto at night...rude misbehavior may happen during the day at the pool, so I can't speak to the atmosphere during the afternoon. But yeah...I also was the only white person at the pool. No big deal though to me.

OK thanks for the insight. What a shame bc the pool looks really nice from the pictures I've seen. I'll try it out once early in the morning anyway, but I wanted to see what other people thought.

I was not calling her out, I was referring to her because in the post about the shootout at the same park she said she was concerned about going there, so I was giving her some insight and didnt want to get off topic in the other post.... geeeeeeeeeez something out of nothing always on here huh

It didn't sound like Greenvillechick was calling out Snowflake. just addressing by name, but maybe I am wrong. Anyway---thanks to both of the posters who provided these very plain, factual, and credible descriptions of the activity at the pool. It is sad to hear, and I bet the people in the immediate vicinity are none too pleased, to the extent there is a spillover of bad conduct.

GreenvilleChick, Why did you call out Snowflake? Snowflake didn't say anything about you.

Seriously Snowflake if you ever read my posts I live in the hood and always have, I take it personally when people talk down about the people who live here as if they are a "type" so what im about to say might be a shock. I have 4 kids, I live only 4 blocks away and I will prob never ever go here again. I would rather drive an hour away to a lake, there is no control at this pool, the kids are running all over unsupervised, it is beyond packed people from all over JC are coming here not just the people in our area so I am not going to discriminate against Bergen Lafayette. I mean who wouldnt it is a very nice pool, and we expected it to be very crowded but the disrespect and lack of control over here is enough to keep me from not going again at least at prime hours but who wants to go swimming with kids at 9am? On the bright side I would think that now they have a better bigger pool Pavonia might be a little less crowded because everyone else wants to go to BL. Maybe once the newness wears off that it may be a little better but I dont see that happening anytime too soon. PS it is complete BULLSHIZ that you do not have to provide proof of residency, because everyone and their momma is bringing out of towners to enjoy our pool, people should have to provide proof of residency and they should work on that.

10am on sat/sun, but during the week there is lap swimming from 7-9 am.

the pool opens at 10AM and is very reasonable up to around lunchtime. It starts to get crowded from then on.

Very nice pool and an asset for the area...

Colleen: I don't teach anywhere...I was required to create a profile and user name so I did...check out the rest of the profile. It is all made up. I grew up in an average suburban mostly white subdivision of LA. Not being from Jersey. I'd never heard of Pingry. Thanks for mentioning it so I could look it up. Sounds like a wonderful place. If I had children it's the kind of place I'd want them to be. I actually know several people who swim at Pershing who would love to have an outdoor pool in the Lafayette area they could do laps at in a LANE.

Snowflake: I was there from 4 to 6pm. I have no idea if it is calmer and less crowded when they first open. Go check it out and see for yourself :)

oh. my. god. um, thanks for . . . sharing? where do you teach - pingry?

Based on your description alone I dont think there would be a lot of people lining up at the crack of dawn to claim a lain with their kickboards.

Hmmm...I was wondering if it was a crazy zoo there. Can you tell me what time you were there? If I were there right when they open, do you think it would be a madhouse? Thanks.

Anyone can swim at the pool...you just sign in when you get there. I wouldn't mention that your friend isn't a resident, though. I swam there last Monday. The pool is super crowded. I would not take my 5 and 1.5 year old niece and nephew there to swim. The kids who are there are very very wild and poorly behaved. In many cases you have one adult monitoring 5 or 6 kids. They had us all get out of the pool at one point and had all the kids stand with the adults that were responsible for them. There are only 2 lifeguards for all the people in the all purpose pool. The adults scream and curse at the kids and the kids curse back. They have cops at the pool to help control the kids. There were many very young couples all over each other...one of these couples was sitting next to me making out, rubbing all over each other and I heard the guy tell the girl how he was gonna make her scream when they got home if her parents weren't around. They couldn't have been more then 13. For all of these reasons I wouldn't not take my niece and nephew to this pool. There is a kid pool and a all purpose pool with a very small deep end. People are nice enough, and mostly leave me be. FULL DISCLOSURE:I am a 30 something white woman...the only white person at the pool. Perhaps I might let my niece and nephew swim in the pool if I were from a different demographic, but I'm not. I grew up in a neighborhood which had a pool for the neighborhood residents who paid to belong to the pool. You were not allowed to run or act a fool. At the Lafayette Pool, which is in the ghetto, folks act like you would expect. Call me all the names you want, I am just telling ya what I experienced. I have been swimming at the Pavonia Pool at least a few times every summer for the past 4 years. It is also in the ghetto, and it is the same experience as the new pool. I go because some days I can't drive to one of the many state parks with swimming lakes, and I don't live in a building with a pool. I do like swimming at Pershing Pool, but it sucks that it is an indoor pool. I want to swim outside in the summer.

Does anyone know if the new pool in Lafayette allows non residents? I am wondering if I can bring a non JC friend along. Thanks! Also has anyone been there? Is it nice?

The info on rates is here:

http://hamiltonhealthandfitness.com/pool/aquatic-programs


[quote]
SRhia wrote:
What is the fee for a private lesson? Interested too.

Feel free to PM me for the rate - thanks in advance.

What is the fee for a private lesson? Interested too.

Feel free to PM me for the rate - thanks in advance.

Quote:

I have also wondered about the local hotel pools. There are a few along the waterfront with pools that would be much closer to downtown than the public pools plus they're indoors. Anyone ever inquire whether they sell passes that allow the public to use them? A year-round pool would be great. I belong to a gym near work that doesn't have a pool. Would love a pool to use on this side of the river (preferably one without a lot of kids... hope I don't get flamed for that comment but seriously).

I second Gabby for swimming lessons at the Hamilton Health and Fitness. She's great.

The Bergen/Lafayette pool opens tomorrow aka Ercel Webb Park Pool.... just A FYI please post if you go!

Call Gabby at Hamilton Health & Fitness: hamiltonhealthandfitness.com

does anyone know of or know where I can find a swim coach to give private swim lessons for my 4 year old?

Johnston Avenue pool now filled and looks fantastic. No work from workers when it will open. For some reason, I have been told that it will not be for two more weeks. The place is awesome. I hope though that they have lane dividers and a pace clock. It seems a shame to pend 5 million on a first rate facility and then not spend the final $5k to do it right. Also, reports are that they good offices of Councilwoman Ahmad have ensured an early 7:00 am opening for the before work lap swimmers.

Floating pool

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/6 ... in-the-river-for-everyone

It's always something with JC govt projects.

Anyone care to make odds on whether swimmers set foot in the water before the summer of 2012?

Paterson contractor defends works on Jersey City’s Lafayette Pool

Published: Monday, June 13, 2011, 3:00 AM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

Workers were busy at Lafayette Pool Complex last week.
The Paterson-based contractor Jersey City officials blamed last week for the delayed opening of the Lafayette Pool Complex contends it completed the project successfully.

APS Construction Inc. was awarded roughly $5.3 million to construct the two pools, originally scheduled to open in April. Opening has been delayed until July, the city says, because of cracks in the plaster that could injure swimmers.

But APS spokesman Goce Blazeski said last week that the “cracking” city officials see in the pools’ coating is a “normal characteristic” of all such surfaces. Blazeski said city officials wanted both pools replastered, and APS’s subcontractor refused.

“Based on the evidence, work was performed and completed in satisfactory level,” he said in an email. “The city’s choice to partially redo APS’ work was a completely unnecessary decision.”

Blazeski added the city owes APS $500,000, which the company has filed suit to receive.

The city council is scheduled to approve an emergency contract on Wednesday to All State Technology, Inc. of Oak Ridge to replaster the pool.

City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said the city cannot comment on APS’ allegations because of potential litigation, Morrill said.

Thanks for the info. It's unfortunate, but it sounds like it will only be open for a few weeks before the season ends.

Hopefully next summer they can get it opened on time so there is a full summer with outdoor swimming...

Quote:Just received this e-mail.

Dear Daniel & Friends of Johnston Avenue Pool,
I am sure that everyone is excited about the JOHNSTON AVENUE POOL OPENING VERY SOON
According to the Division of Archtecture (Mr. Brian Weller) the estimated time of the opening is a few weeks, with no definite date.
As soon as I hear from Councilwoman Richardson, Rodney Hadley, Al Lynch & Brian Weller I will notify everyone.
Let us say thank you in advance to the above mentioned folks who are bringing this project into frution.
I am sure the result will have been worth the wait !

Thanks
Rosalyn Browne
CABA President

anyone know if they opened Johnston Ave pool - I keep getting voicemail when I call Parks dept...

not sure about bike lock-ups, my bike was lifted with a lock not so long ago, so definitely keep yours secure!

for toddler lessons: I personally have done some in Hoboken at Stevens. But I know a lot of mums that do it over at Newport, I think at the Newport Swim and Fitness place.

Does anyone know of group or private swim lessons for toddlers in the Jersey City area? thanks

Do any of the pools have any sort of secure bike parking, or at least a spot where I could keep an eye on my bike while swimming? I'm wary of leaving my little folding bike out on the street -- it's hard to lock it securely because it's so easy to disassemble.