CAPE MAY — A new lifeguard headquarters has been a long time coming for the Cape May Beach Patrol. A ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated lifeguard headquarters is scheduled for May 1.
The structure was built in 1988, when the CMBP was composed almost entirely of men, but the staff is currently divided nearly evenly. The renovation will greatly expand the facilities for women and refresh the entire interior of the building.
“The main facility needed better facilities for female guards, that’s the biggest change,” City Manager Paul Dietrich said in an interview with the Star and Wave. “We’ve also moved the triage area out in public, increased some of our offices and the common room where [guards] do their briefings and trainings.”
While most beachgoers see lifeguards working on the beach, much goes on behind the scenes at headquarters. Having an updated space allows lifeguards to organize and prepare for the day, as well as a place for support staff to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“We do all of our training and recertifications in our main meeting room, [like] first aid and CPR, on a yearly basis,” CMBP Chief Harry Back Jr. said. “Every morning I meet with staff before they go out on the beaches, and we talk about water conditions, what to expect weather-wise and anything that needs to be updated.”
Back said he expects about 90 lifeguards for the season, a mix of both part-time and full-time. There are 66 full-time lifeguards.
“We’re very thankful to the city administration for getting this done,” Back said. “It’s a huge upgrade and long-overdue.”
The new headquarters was fast-tracked by City Council for completion by the 2026 season. The project was designed by Rob Conley Architects, and the contract was awarded to Marino General Construction for $1,168,645.
“The contractor has done a great job in a very short timeframe to get this project completed,” Dietrich said. “The architect allowed me to put this project out and ready for the coming season.”
During the June 3, 2025, City Council meeting, Dietrich said the renovations would require a full offseason for completion. At the time, he said the tight schedule would make it more realistic to design the project and go out to bid in summer 2026.
“Council and I thought it was important to move it as fast as we could and it worked out for us,” Dietrich added.
The work on the building required a few additional upgrades during the winter. Dietrich said the contractor requested two change orders in January.
“They’ve been recommended by Rob Conley Architects that the change order one is a total of $15,787.70,” Dietrich said. “That includes removing the solar panels off the roof and some of the work.”
Initially, it was thought the solar panels would not have to be removed, but Dietrich said they all must come off for the work to be done. There is also some minor plumbing work that needs to be completed as part of that change order.
“Change order two is $13,104 for six helical piles along the front of the building, underneath of which will really support the addition of the area underneath the women’s locker room,” Dietrich said. “Once we tore off the old decking, we exposed the pilings that you couldn’t see because there’s deck boards over it, and those pilings are all rotted and need to be secured for structural support.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
