Repairs include new roof and removal of columns from dance floor
By DON STINEThe legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park is reopening this week after being closed for five weeks for much-needed roof repairs. The Stone Pony will reopen tonight (Jan. 8) for amateur night.
Keith Ortner, vice president of development for Madison Marquette, said last year staff members at the Stone Pony brought to the company’s attention that the roof was sagging.
Madison Marquette is the Asbury Park boardwalk redeveloper and the Stone Pony owner.
“We then brought in a structural engineer to analyze the building and found some roof support structures had failed. It was a safety issue,” Ortner said.
Ortner said all of the old, wooden trusses in the roof were removed and replaced with new, manufactured wooden trusses.
“It gave us a little different design using manufactured trusses. It allowed us a lot of flexibility in there to open up the Stone Pony floors because the supports from the floor to the ceiling are now gone,” he said.
Ortner would not give a cost figure for the project.
“But it was very expensive, believe me,” he said.
Ortner said he, in particular, wants to thank the many contractors and crews that did the roof project in about five weeks.
“They did an incredible task. The contractors were amazing and worked almost 24-hour shifts,” he said.
Stone Pony General Manager Caroline O’Toole said she is glad to be back in the iconic building and happy to see the improvements.
“I just want to thank Madison Marquette for making the improvements because it preserves the integrity of the Stone Pony,” she said.
During its closing, many Stone Pony acts were booked into either the Paramount Theatre on the boardwalk or the Wonder Bar at Fifth and Ocean avenues.
O’Toole said there were no problems in switching scheduled acts with the Wonder Bar.
“It worked out great. Our staff worked so well together and it was a smooth transition both ways. Everybody cooperated,” she said.
O’Toole said it was odd being displaced for so many weeks.
“I really feel that (the Stone Pony) is home. I can’t wait to be back there and I can’t wait for bands and newcomers to come see what’s happening in Asbury Park. We’re back,” she said.
O’Toole said there is a bit of a different feel to the Stone Pony after the renovations.
“There are different floors and the roof is a lot higher than what it used to be. Everything looks bigger and people should come down and check it out. What doesn’t change is the history,” she said.
Wonder Bar Manager Debbie DeLisa said having the Stone Pony bookings in her venue really helped business and brought in a lot of new people.
“We really appreciate the Stone Pony sending shows to us because it gave people some exposure to the Wonder Bar who had never been here before. We loved having the action,” she said.
DeLisa said she enjoyed working with the Stone Pony staff and is happy improvements were made to its building.
“I just know the Pony will come back bigger and better than ever,” she said.
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
