WEST DEPTFORD, N.J. — A busload of Ocean County officials, including Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller and several Ocean County commissioners, traveled to West Deptford to tour the RiverWinds Community Center, a controversial facility mired in debt and taxpayer subsidies.
Joining the trip was George Gilmore, Ocean County GOP Chairman and registered lobbyist for South Jersey Democrats, despite having no official role with the county, confirmed with county employees who wish to remain anonymous.
Gilmore’s presence raised eyebrows, given his ties to the political forces behind RiverWinds, a facility that has become a financial strain on West Deptford residents.
The center cost $58 million to build and continues to operate at an annual loss. Taxpayers currently cover approximately $3.9 million each year to close the gap between operating costs and revenue generated by membership fees.
The RiverWinds facility carries over $22 million in remaining debt, with annual operating costs, including debt service, totaling around $5.8 million.
“The debt burden remains significant for the township,” officials have noted in public meetings. Attempts to sell off parcels of land to reduce the debt have stalled due to economic conditions.
Despite these issues, Gilmore is reportedly pushing for a similar development in Ocean County, targeting a site at Ocean County Park.
Residents and some local observers are voicing concerns about the proposal, citing Gilmore’s track record. Many of the projects he has been associated with have either failed to materialize or lost money, yet still generated consultant fees for him.
Also at stake is the preservation of the park, donated to the county by John D. Rockefeller. Under current rules, no new building can take place at the park, but that could be changed by the Gilmore-influenced board of commissioners. It’s not certain whether or not Gilmore could influence the board to sell off portions of the park for residential and commercial construction, a plan Gilmore tried and failed at the Ciba Geigy superfund site years ago in Toms River.
Financial concerns mount over Gilmore’s proposal
The RiverWinds model, which relies heavily on taxpayer subsidies, poses a financial risk for Ocean County if replicated. The original debt in West Deptford was structured over 20 years but included additional fees and expenses, ultimately placing a long-term burden on local taxpayers.
In addition to financial questions, Gilmore’s lobbying ties to South Jersey Democrats who orchestrated the RiverWinds deal have added to the controversy. While not formally part of the county government, Gilmore maintains significant influence within Ocean County politics, despite a major defeat last Tuesday in the GOP primary election. That election saw Gilmore’s handpicked candidate, Bill Spadea lose in a record-breaking landslide defeat to Jack Ciattarelli.
Public records show that West Deptford Township had hoped to mitigate the RiverWinds debt by selling off land for development, but fluctuating market conditions have impeded those plans. As a result, taxpayers continue to shoulder the multimillion-dollar shortfall.
The project was a complete financial failure for the residents, but all of the engineers, consultants, and lobbyists were paid in full.
The visit to RiverWinds has amplified concerns that Ocean County could face similar financial difficulties if it moves forward with a comparable project.
“It’s a money pit that taxpayers are forced to keep filling,” one resident stated during a recent town hall.
The bus trip has sparked renewed scrutiny of Gilmore’s influence and the financial viability of bringing a RiverWinds-style facility to Ocean County.
