Fall Opening Targeted for Senior Center Expansion

After wet winter weather caused several delays, the South Brunswick Senior Center expansion project is progressing nicely and looks to have a late-summer or early-fall grand opening.

While the area was spared from heavy snowfall, the weather did prevent the construction project from proceeding as planned.

"Because of the weather, the project has been somewhat stalled," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz earlier this year.

But with summer arriving, the project is now moving towards completion.

Architect Peter Campisano, of USA Architects, Planners + Interior Designers, said the steel for the project is up and workers are now closing in the building. The expansion area's brick work will be starting soon, as will work for the roof, he said.

Completion of the expansion is expected to occur in September or October.

The expansion will add about 10,000-square feet near the rear entrance of the existing auditorium at the Senior Center. The expansion includes a small room for low impact exercise equipment that allows members to work out, in addition to exam rooms. A wellness center will host physical fitness activities, health and wellness lectures, and doctor screenings through a partnership with local hospitals.

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.

The center, which was built in the 1970’s, was long overdue for an upgrade, according to township officials. The center's current multi-purpose room is regularly filled for a variety of programs and is also employed as a shelter during emergencies like Hurricane Sandy.

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. The addition of 10,000-square feet will bring the total area of the center to about 26,000-square feet.

"The town continues to grow and we've seen a dramatic increase in the people using the Senior Center," Schmalz said. "A lot of residents are reaching that 55 and over age group, so we've seen more and more people taking part in the programs we offer."