The City of Summit Department of Community Programs is inviting members of the residential and business community to an open house and information session on its new community center building at 7:30PM on Thursday, March 2 at the Summit Community Center on 100 Morris Ave. in Summit.
At the open house, community members will have an opportunity to review building plans and the proposed construction schedule for the new community center project. Director of Community Programs Judith Josephs will provide information on how construction will impact recreation programs. City of Summit engineer Aaron Schrager and architect Tom Potter will be available to answer technical questions on the project as well.
“Our Department of Community Programs has served generations of Summit residents in the original community center building since 1954,” explains Summit Mayor Nora Radest. “As the popularity of our programs continues to grow, there is an increasing need for a complete renovation and expansion of the community center. We are thrilled to be able to undertake this important project for the benefit of the entire community and hope that people join us at the open house to learn more about it.”
Improvements to the existing 8,000 square foot community center facility will proceed with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, and include an 11,600 square foot addition with an expanded senior lounge, full-sized gym, additional restrooms, enhanced meeting spaces, an area for teens, kitchen space, improved parking, and accessibility improvements.
The estimated cost for the community center building project is $6.5MM. The Department of Community Programs has led a successful fundraising effort for the project receiving more than $1.35MM from community partners such as Investors Bank and Celgene Corporation, and through donations from private citizens.
Radest continues: “Community volunteers Drew Maldonado, Jude Avelino, Regina Feeney, Jamie Colucci, and l led the effort for this important project. We are thankful for the incredible support from Summit citizens and look forward to the opportunity to share the project plans at the March 2 open house.”
For more information about the March 2 community center open house, new building project, and how to donate or get involved, go to www.summitcommunityprograms.com.