By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Pennsauken Township Committee and its municipal administration are excited to announce that a brand new community center will be built along Westfield Ave. as part of the town’s Community Recreation Complex. This historic multi-million dollar project is made possible entirely through federal funding, without impacting municipal taxes.

“We’re so excited to announce this to Pennsauken. It’s a great way to end the year,” said Pennsauken Mayor Jessica Rafeh. “When complete, our new community center will be a place where so much will be offered to our residents.”

“Ever since I was a kid, getting a community center in Pennsauken was something that everyone wanted to make happen, but it just wasn’t able to get off the ground,” added Township Administrator Tim Killion. “This project started to take shape two years ago, and now it’s becoming a reality.”

“What a wonderful addition this will be to our town,” continued Deputy Mayor Nicole Roberts. “This will be a beautiful new space for our residents to gather together for recreation and leisure.”

Pennsauken’s new community center will be a warm and welcoming gathering space for residents. The lobby will consist of an open floor concept that takes advantage of natural lighting. Connected to the lobby, a café will offer refreshments to visitors, turning the area not only into an entrance space, but also a place to be used for small gatherings and socializing.

For athletics, the facility will feature indoor basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts; an inside, elevated walking/running track at the mezzanine level; and rooms where fitness classes, such as aerobics or yoga, can be held. The community center will also include locker rooms for the comfort and convenience of those using the space.

Multipurpose rooms can be used for a variety of functions. The design of these areas will include the ability to be converted into a single, sizeable space with both indoor and outdoor options. This versatility will offer the Pennsauken community a location that can accommodate a significant number of people for events such as independent classes, educational seminars, art shows, extensive presentations, blood drives, and the like. Residents will also be able to rent these rooms for private events, such as parties and receptions.

Another key feature will be the senior activity room, an area that allows for both small groups as well as individual seating clusters. This versatile space will encourage socialization for senior citizens, and feature internet/technology access and support.

The community center will also include a small, outdoor amphitheater, where musical and theatrical performances can be held.

While the design of the community center has many indoor amenities, additional focus will be given to outdoor spaces. In fact, several parts of the facility will have access to outside areas.

“This project will transform our town for years to come,” said Township Committeeman Vince Martinez. “It is such a big deal. I can’t wait to see how our residents will use the space.”

A key aspect to the community center is that the facility will serve as a central location for Pennsauken residents to gather in the case of an emergency. To this fact, the project has been made possible through the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established through the American Rescue Plan of 2021.

“Something the pandemic taught us was that we needed a central location where our residents could come together to receive assistance during a crisis,” said Mayor Rafeh. “Our new community center will be a key location for everything from vaccinations to the distribution of emergency relief.”

“Our community center would not be possible without the support from the State of New Jersey. We thank them for their assistance with this vital project for our community,” said Township Administrator Tim Killion.

The addition of a community center to the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex will round out the facility, which currently houses both the Township’s soccer fields, a basketball court, a playground, a walking path, as well as the newly renovated and extremely popular Pennsauken Skate Park.

“This is a great location for our community center, right at the heart of our town. And to be able to build on land that we already own is key,” said Township Committeeman Marco DiBattista. “For decades, residents have been asking for this. To be a part of the Committee that is delivering this to Pennsauken is really amazing.” 

“This has been a long time in the making,” added Township Committeeman Patrick Olivo. “I am honored to be part of the team to finally build a central point in town where our residents can congregate.”

With an architectural plan already in place, the Township’s municipal government is preparing to go out to bid to select a contractor for the project. The estimated completion date for construction is 2025. Updates and additional information on the Pennsauken Community Center will be shared online and via social media as details become available.