Ocean Grove Fishing Pier, 2004. Paul Goldfinger photo
By Paul Goldfinger
Many of you are probably unaware that Ocean Grove has a past history of being rejected by FEMA, and that history reverberates today. In early 2012, the OGCMA received word that FEMA would not provide funds to repair the fishing pier damage that resulted from the 2011 hurricane Irene. The rejection was a surprise because the CMA had received help in the past for prior storm damage to the Great Auditorium.
The reason for the FEMA Irene damage denial had to do with the recreational functions of the pier, and a related component may have been due to the fact that the public had no access to the private fishing club area. In a recent discussion with Mr. delCampo of the OGCMA, he was concerned that the current Sandy appeal might be negatively impacted if the CMA were to agree now that the fishing club would be reestablished at the end of the pier where it has been located for many years.
At this time, rebuilding the pier has been declared a lower priority by the CMA, and they have not been willing to enter into discussions regarding the fishing club’s future at this time. The OG fishing club has about nine years left on its CMA lease for the pier, but it’s not clear if that lease will be honored in the future.
The OG Fishing Club is willing and able to pay for and rebuild the ENTIRE PIER as long as the Camp Meeting will renew their lease. And rightly so- Who in their right mind would put out a few hundred thousand dollars to repair something that can be used at most for 9 years??
I say if FEMA does not rebuild the pier, then let the Fishing Club rebuild it and give them an extension on their lease. Or sell the pier to the club and stop worrying about maintaining it in the future.
The Grove is not the Grove without a PIER!! It is a Historic Landmark for heaven’s sake!
The word is out that many folks will not donate to the Camp Meeting’s GENERAL fund- but would put money into a DESIGNATED ACCOUNT for A NEW PIER!! We ALL love the Grove, but let’s face it, everything is NOT about the Auditorium…..