Home / Environment / Erosion forces demolition of lifeguard HQ
Erosion forces demolition of lifeguard HQ
26 Mar
Summary
- Lifeguard headquarters ordered demolished due to erosion.
- Severe erosion caused by storms threatens building collapse.
- Temporary trailer office will house lifeguards this summer.
Strathmere's beach patrol headquarters is slated for demolition due to severe coastal erosion. The aging building, once protected by dunes, is now critically threatened by shifting shorelines and heavy sand loss, primarily due to storms beginning in August 2025. Officials fear the structure could collapse into the ocean.
Upper Township has announced plans to hire a contractor to raze the headquarters. While a new building is planned, it is not expected to be ready before the summer season commences. For now, lifeguards will operate from a temporary trailer-like office.
Township officials explored supporting the building with a temporary bulkhead but deemed it a poor investment for an antiquated structure. The demolition process itself is complex due to the building's location over water with rocks and surf below.
Ongoing efforts to secure federal funding for beach replenishment projects are facing uncertainty, impacting areas like Strathmere that continuously suffer erosion. Legislation has been proposed to permanently fund such repairs.
