South Brunswick Unveils Senior Center Expansion

In front of a packed room of senior citizens last week, South Brunswick officially opened a gleaming expansion project that adds about 11,500-square feet to the township's senior center.

The project brings the total area of the bustling center to about 26,000-square feet, making the facility one of the best in the state, according to township officials.

"I'm extremely pleased with what we're seeing here and we still have visions for what this will become," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "Once we add in the wellness component here, I see an opportunity to help everyone in South Brunswick get a little healthier."

The expansion includes a small room for low impact exercise equipment that allows members to work out, along with new exam rooms and a multi-purpose room, including ping pong tables. The wellness center will also host physical fitness activities, health and wellness lectures, and doctor screenings through a partnership with local hospitals.

The township still needs to iron out the details for the wellness offerings, as  discussions are ongoing with local hospitals to conduct health screenings, physicals, and other services in the exam rooms.

The council approved an ordinance last year that appropriated $2.9 million for both the expansion to the center and for lights to be installed on the softball fields at Reichler Park. Both projects were funded by open space money, with Middlesex County providing a 50 percent match, therefore the municipal budget and township tax rate will not be impacted.

South Brunswick officials praised the help of the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, including former South Brunswick Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett Bellante, who attended the ceremony with Director Ronald Rios. Also present were incumbent District 16 Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Assemblywoman Donna Simon.

The plans for the expansion were designed with significant input provided by a committee comprised of senior center members, with the late Mike Ketofsky praised for his contributions to the project.

"This is the culmination of a lot of long days and meetings with the seniors to give them what they wanted with the center. It's magnificent and I'm really proud of it," said Lead Architect Peter Campisano, of USA Architects, Planners + Interior Designers. "If you look around, every square inch of this place is being used. Even in the common area every inch is being used."

Of the nearly 44,000 people living in South Brunswick, about 22 percent are between the ages of 45 and 64-years-old, and about 7 percent are over the age of 65. The Senior Center currently has about 3,100 active members. 

Built in the 1970’s, the center was long overdue for an upgrade, according to Councilman Charles Carley, who township officials called a driving force behind the project.

Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic said he's hopeful to have both expanded classes and the health and wellness offerings set up and running by the start of 2014. 

"This almost doubles the area that we have now and allows us to expand the programs we already offer here," he said. "We have active seniors in this community, and we hope more people will come here and we think they'll stay longer now. We'll have expanded classes and wellness programs, and when that happens we'll be able to serve a greater portion of the population. This expansion was designed specifically for the people who use it."