by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
Township officials say that renovations to the Community Center on New Road will be mostly complete by Oct. 18 when the site is set to host Community Unity Day.
The center has been closed since April 18 due to a $1.46 million update and expansion project.
South Brunswick Chief Financial Officer Joe Monzo told the Township Council Sept. 2 that the project was on schedule, and that he expects a “substantial completion,” by the Community Unity celebration. He said he could not guarantee that every paint can would be out of the building in time for the event, but that building would be usable.
Mr. Monzo said Recreation Department Director Tom Morris has been meeting with the architect, and that additional plans for placing a backup power generator in the building were being reviewed by the code department.
Mr. Monzo said that all the foundation and block work was complete, as well as the sprinkler system. He said they expect to have the new addition enclosed by Sept. 18.
”I am pleased that they are on schedule,” Mayor Frank Gambatese said. “We are pleased with the quality of the work and that there has been no increase in costs.”
Improvements to the center will include the addition of a full-sized gym, expansion of classroom space and a new heat, ventilation and cooling system. The center is 9,834 square feet, and will be expanded by 3,919 square feet to 13,753 square feet.
The plans call for the addition of 2,707 square feet of gym space, to 4,200 square feet. A 1,211-square-foot multi-purpose room also is being created.
In addition, the new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will hook the entire building up to central heat and air. Before the renovations, some of the classrooms were using window air conditioners.
The township had originally planned to more than double the size of the center to 21,230 square feet, but re-evaluated the project in September 2007 when all the bids on the project came in at nearly twice the $2 million budget.
The building’s size was reduced, and a contract was granted to Cypreco Industries, of Neptune, in February.
Funding for the project was provided through a $1 million grant from Middlesex County received in early 2007, and by 2005 bond ordinance.
Once completed, the building will also serve as the offices of the Recreation Department, which have been located in the Utilities Building on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction since the renovations began.

