Community Corner

Belmar Boardwalk, Beach To Reopen May 22 With Ribbon-Cutting

Officials planning for much fanfare

The big day should be May 22, when a snip of a ribbon will mark the reopening of Belmar's boardwalk and beach.

Hurricane Sandy destroyed so much of the oceanfront that Belmar's main tourist attraction has been closed since evacuation orders were issued before the storm. The long-awaited first day of access should be May 22, officials said Wednesday.

Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay announced the borough is planning a May 22 reopening date, with a special celebration to begin in the morning.

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"It's tentative, but by the end of the week we should have confirmed it," Nicolay said of the date.

Details are now being finalized, but Nicolay said in addition to a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, the elementary students of Belmar and Saint Rose schools will be invited, and the Belmar Strong volunteers will be honored.

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"It will be an official opening of the beach, and a ribbon cutting on the boardwalk," Nicolay told Patch.

Nicolay said May 22 was picked as a day to cut the ribbon due to its proximity to Memorial Day, when the borough hopes Gov. Chris Christie will stop by to further celebrate the tourist season, and because the beach and boardwalk reconstruction projects are forecast to be complete then.

The beach may not be patrolled by lifeguards on May 22, Nicolay said, which usually begins Memorial Day weekend, but the event should mark the official reopening of the beach.

The beach has been off-limits since Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed the boardwalk and flattened the beach. Belmar is currently rebuilding its having completed all the pilings and nearly all the under decking, while boards are being installed from the north end of town.

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