This architectural rendering gives an aerial perspective of the community recreation center. (Courtesy of Sea Isle City)
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City conducted a virtual tour Saturday to show off the latest conceptual designs for its proposed community recreation center – a project whose estimated cost has increased from $15 million to $20 million because of the pandemic’s impact on construction materials.
In a pre-recorded video presentation posted on the city’s website, Mayor Leonard Desiderio pledged that the public will be involved in “every step along the way” as the project evolves through the different phases of planning, design and construction.
City officials have been discussing plans for the recreation center for more than three years as the project has slowly unfolded. Desiderio previously said he would like to have the new building completed by spring 2023, but no timetable was given during the video presentation.
The city is planning to demolish the old public school at 4501 Park Road to make way for the community center. The school, which closed in 2012 due to Sea Isle’s declining student population, occupies the entire block bordered by Park Road, Central Avenue, 45th Street and 46th Street.
“After compiling all of the information and data we gathered, it was clear that the majority of the people in our community want the site of the former school to be used for recreation and community-oriented purposes,” Desiderio said in opening remarks in the 22-minute presentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VboMayELkus
(Watch the video presentation)
The city plans to demolish the old public school site on Park Road to make way for the community recreation center.
In a text Saturday, Custer explained that the higher estimated construction cost can largely be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Construction material costs have gone up greatly in recent years, especially since COVID began,” she said.
Far more than a recreation facility, the building will include meeting space and other amenities to serve its dual role as a community center, Desiderio pointed out.
“In short, we realized we need a modern, indoor facility where people can gather together to enjoy a variety of events and functions, including fitness programs and other athletic activities, civic club meetings, social events for senior citizens, afterschool programs, seasonal gatherings and much, much more,” he said.
The building’s main entrance would overlook Central Avenue between 45th and 46th streets. There would be surface parking in front of the community center. Parking would also be built underneath the facility. Underground parking would be protected by solid walls and fencing.
The first floor would include 32,000 square feet of space. Visitors would enter a lobby that would feature high ceilings to bathe the first floor in plenty of natural light.
This architectural rendering gives an aerial perspective of the community recreation center. (Courtesy of Sea Isle City)
According to preliminary plans, the new facility would include a large gymnasium featuring a regulation-size basketball court that could also be converted into pickleball courts and a volleyball court.
The gym would include retractable bleachers holding about 175 spectators. A retractable divider net would allow the gym to be sectioned off for other activities.
Overlooking the gym on the building’s second level would be a “skywalk” for walking and jogging.
The first floor would also have a workout room for such activities as yoga, Zumba and Pilates. Custer said the workout room will not have fitness equipment because the city does not want to compete with privately owned local gyms that do.
In addition to the recreation facilities, the building would also include a large community room capable of holding more than 140 people. Local community groups would be able to use the room for their meetings and other activities.
The community room would also have a 45-foot stage for such things as public presentations, summer theater camps and awards ceremonies, Custer noted. Above the stage would be a retractable screen for movies and other presentations in the community room.
As plans for the project continue to develop, the city has been listening to the suggestions and concerns of local homeowners, the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization and the Recreation Committee, Desiderio said.
“I want to remind everyone that we are still in the design-development phase of creating a new community center and no plans have been finalized because we are still gathering feedback from the public,” he said.
Members of the public may email the city at [email protected] for comments or questions about the project.
