The BRICK Times Vol. 25 - No. 21
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Sports Complex Developer Discusses Goals
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
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Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 25
Classifieds Pages 22
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dome when it was approved by the Plan ni ng Board in March of 2029. The layout included a 75,000 squarefoot dome fronted by two additional buildings housing a daycare center, basketball courts and offices. The plan was altered due to fire code compliance, Photo by Judy Smestad-Nunn so the developer looked at a variety The new sports complex is expected to be open within several months. of options and decided to remove the spacing between the buildings By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - Construction on the new sports complex and combine the three structures into a solid, is well underway after breaking ground in June. full-metal single building. In a phone interview, Septon called the new The privately owned facility is being built on design, “a blessing in disguise since this is a much property many people call “the former Foodtown more superior product than the dome. It took a lot site,” on Route 70, which was demolished some of planning, a lot of engineering, and a lot of ar15 years ago. chitectural design that went into it. We didn’t want According to spokesperson for the developer, LCP to start anything until we were ready to go, fully.” Sports II Urban Renewal, Abe Septon, the square Plans call for some 7,000 to 8,000 square feet of footage of the facility measures some 135,000 indoor turf area for local club teams and where square feet and is fully climate-controlled. high school teams could train on a weekly basis, Superdome Sports has a total of five indoor sports he said. There will also be four full-size basketball facilities in New Jersey, with the Brick complex courts which will be doubly utilized as six volleyand one of the two Waldwick complexes being the ball courts and 12 pickleball courts. largest. The other facilities are in Northvale and “There is a front building, which has ground Fair Lawn. (Sport Complex - See Page 4) Plans for the sports complex started out as a
Spent Fuel To Stay At Oyster Creek By Stephanie Faughnan LACEY - Nearly seven years after Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station powered down for the last time, the focus has shifted from what was once the nation’s oldest operating nuclear plant to how its story will end. On September 17, local officials, residents, and regulators gathered at the Lacey Township Municipal Building, and online, for a meeting that delved deep into Oyster Creek’s License Termination Plan (LTP). With roughly 100 people participating, the session was part technical briefing and part listening forum. “We are interested in hearing your comments, or any comments (Oyster Creek - See Page 6)
GOLD Exceeds $3500 an Ounce! OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
HIGHEST RATED CASH FOR GOLD STORE IN OCEAN COUNTY
September 27, 2025
Local Veteran Writes Candid Memoir “Years Later About Vietnam”
Photo courtesy Ron Fazio Ron Fazio holds copies of the book he published in February. By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Ron Fazio didn’t want to go to war. But he also didn’t want to flee to Canada or risk arrest for defying the draft. “I was a drafted teacher,” he said. “That proved I didn’t like the war. But I didn’t want to not serve. I didn’t want to go to Canada, and I didn’t want to go to jail. So, I took my 10, 15, 20 percent chance of either being killed or wounded, and I said, ‘I’m going in. I can’t take it anymore.’” For decades, Fazio, who taught US history and economics at Manalapan High School, pushed (Veteran - See Page 5)
Remembering Lisa Cifaretto: An Artist Who Made Toms River Her Canvas
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Lisa Cifaretto at the 2022 TRAC Summer Arts Fest, showcasing her signature creations made from resin and reclaimed wood creations.
SILVER Nears $40 an Ounce!
90% SILVER • MEDALLIONS FLATWARE • SCRAP • JEWELRY TEA SETS • TRAYS • PITCHERS CANDELABRAS
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - When Lisa Cifaretto passed away, the Toms River art world lost not only a gifted artist, but a visionary leader whose heart for community reached far beyond gallery walls. She was 62 years old, yet those who knew her say her creativity, compassion, and energy seemed timeless. Cifaretto’s journey was as colorful and layered as her resin art. Born and raised in New Jersey, she also lived in Florida before eventually making Brick her home. She spent years pursuing different callings and applied her artistry to her work (Lisa Cifaretto - See Page 12)
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