"Full Steam Ahead" on Sea Isle City's Community Center

Mayor Leonard Desiderio says construction is “moving full steam ahead” on Sea Isle City’s community recreation center, pushing the $21 million project closer toward completion for its scheduled grand opening this fall.

Key parts of the two-story building have already been completed or are getting underway, with the majority of the work now being done on the interior, Desiderio said in his latest update on the project.

With most of the construction work limited to the interior of the building now, any noise and disruption to the surrounding neighborhood should be limited, he pointed.

“As most everyone knows, we are moving full steam ahead on construction of the new Community Center. Over the past year, much has been accomplished, and the contractor is working now to close the building in so that they can focus on completing the interior,” Desiderio said in a statement.

At this point, the roof deck is complete, with final insulation and roofing placement in progress. Framing of the exterior walls has been completed, with weather and waterproofing barrier in progress.

Windows and the glass entrance wall are scheduled to be installed over the next several weeks, the mayor said.

Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning ductwork is nearing completion. In addition, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is in various stages of completion, he noted.

“The schedule is for the building to be watertight within the next month,” Desiderio said.

    An architectural rendering shows the community center's glossy facade. (Courtesy of Ernest Bock & Sons Inc.)
  

During the busy summer tourism season, the construction workers will be limited to parking on-site. However, the Sea Isle City Library parking lot at 48th Street and Central Avenue will be used as needed in order to provide for as much street parking as possible for residents and visitors, Desiderio said.

Throughout construction, Desiderio has repeatedly said that the project remains on schedule as it heads toward its scheduled completion and grand opening in the fall.

The construction contractor is Ernest Bock & Sons Inc., a Philadelphia-based company that has built a diversified portfolio of more than $3 billion worth of public and private projects in the Philadelphia area, New Jersey and Mid-Atlantic region.

The building’s design reflects the facility’s dual role as a community center and recreation facility. There will be a large gymnasium, indoor walkway and workout space for recreation. The building will also include space that local community groups may use for meetings, events and other activities.

The community center will also include a covered parking area underneath the building at street level that will have 40 spaces.

Architectural renderings of the community center show a glossy facade overlooking Central Avenue. A material resembling red brick will also cloak the front of the building as part of the attractive architecture to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood.

To make room for construction of the community center, the city demolished the old Sea Isle City Public School at 4501 Park Road. The community center will occupy the same footprint of the old school on the block bordered by Park Road, Central Avenue, 45th Street and 46th Street.

Sea Isle had the demolition contractor save the mature trees that surrounded the old school. The plan is to incorporate the trees in the new landscaping designs for the community center.

    The back part of the community center hovers over Park Road between 45th and 46th streets.