By: centraljersey.com
MONROE TOWNSHIP – Monroe Township Community Center opened its new fitness center Tuesday and finally gave the Monroe community what it wanted.According to Recreation Director Tony Wilcenski, the idea of the fitness center arose after a survey went out to the public about four years ago that asked what they wanted to see at the community center.
"This was number one," Mr. Wilcenski said.
Now, after the expansion, which Mr. Wilcenski said took about a year and half and cost approximately $5 million, the community center has doubled in size from 30,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet.
The community center prior to the expansion contained a Recreation Department office, a meeting center, and a gymnasium.
Now, however, a variety of new facilities have been added.
These include the new fitness center with fitness machines and equipment, two classrooms for different types of recreational services and an auxiliary gymnasium that will be used by recreational wrestling teams, cheerleading squads, etc.
In addition to new facilities, there are two new policies for the fitness center.
A Monroe Township Recreational Center ID, which costs $5, is required for people to use the new facility. IDs can be obtained at the Community Center.
Patrons must also go through a fitness center orientation before they can begin using the center on their own.
Mr. Wilcenski invited people to come out and see the new fitness center.
"It’s absolutely magnificent," Mr. Wilcenski added.
Although the Recreation Department has not started to advertise the new facility, there has been a steady stream of residents coming in who found out through of "word-of-mouth," Mr. Wilcenski said.
Patrons can also look forward to a dedication ceremony of the new facility happening sometime soon and they can look forward to the creation of new recreation programs.
The community center, along with its new fitness center, is located on 120 Monmouth Road.
