Monroe’s indoor skate rink may be ready in October

   Construction of the steel frame and roof to cover the rink for in-line roller skaters and work on an adjacent outdoor skate park is expected to start the beginning of next week, township Engineer Ernie Feist said Thursday.

By: Al Wicklund
   MONROE — The roofed roller rink to be built on the same lot as the Monroe Township Community Center could be ready in two months.
   Construction of the steel frame and roof to cover the rink for in-line roller skaters and work on an adjacent outdoor skate park is expected to start the beginning of next week, township Engineer Ernie Feist said Thursday.
   "The project still needs a contractor to provide equipment such as ramps and jumps for skateboards," Mr. Feist said.
   The Township Council last week rejected the only bid for the skate park equipment.
   "There was only the one bidder, Mic Rob Inc., and the bid was $120,000 over the budgeted figure.
   "The job has been scaled down. It now calls for less equipment," the engineer said.
   He said the new specifications have gone out for bid.
   "The opening of bids will be 10 a.m. on Sept. 28," Mr. Feist said.
   He said his office found five potential bidders, companies that may be interested in submitting bids.
   Mr. Feist said Big Daddy Construction of Matchaponix Road is to start work on the paved area for the skate park next week.
   Valley Contractors of Pennington will begin work for the side supports for the roof.
   The project originally called for the rink to be enclosed in fabric walls. The fabric was to be stretched over the steel frame. Bids were too high, however, and the plans were redone eliminating the walls.
   The specifications were changed at the end of July when bids for the project were running higher than expected.
   Valley Contractors won the roof and steel contract Aug. 6 with a low bid of $419,015, On the same day, Big Daddy had the low bid, $147,747, for the skate park on an asphalt area and site improvements, including work on drainage and parking areas.
   The target from the start has been completion of the project in the fall of this year.
   "We hoping for good weather and shooting for a completion date in late October," Mr. Feist said.