’44,000 Square Feet of Fun’: Sea Isle’s New Community Center has ‘Something for Everyone’

Pick your favorite accolade for the sparkling new Sea Isle City Community Center.

Many touring the building throughout final inspections in early March said “Wow” or “Beautiful.”

More superlatives are expected with the scheduled March 28 unveiling of the $22 million structure at 4500 Central Ave., the largest building in Sea Isle City history.

Mayor Leonard Desiderio has his own favorite description.

“I call it 44,000 square feet of fun,” he says about a facility that seemingly has everything. “The sky is going to be the limit with the Community Center. People will be very happy to come here.

“This is something for everyone,” he adds. “Seniors are going to be happy. Middle-age people will be happy. So will young people. This will the focal point of Sea Isle City for years to come.

“If we could, I’d love this to be open eight days a week,” he continues. “There are so many things you will be able to do. There’s the NBA-sized gym, the walking track, and the room you have for art shows, flower shows, exhibits, speakers, etc. We have a golf simulator, so you can go in and play Pebble Beach. There is room for Chamber of Commerce meetings, AARP meetings, and a police presence. There is a lot to keep you active and moving in Sea Isle City, which I like.”

The gym and walking/running track.

City officials are pleased to see the blossoming of a multiyear project. Desiderio says facilities like this have been discussed for about 50 years. The movement that launched action this time began nearly eight years ago. Residents and nonresidents had significant input through a process that spanned numerous public meetings, a referendum, final approvals, and the start of construction. Layer by layer, brick by brick, Sea Isle City then built its recreation future.

Desiderio, Sea Isle City’s mayor since 1993, considers the Community Center one of the biggest developments over his tenure. It carries significance similar to advancements with Excursion Park, the lifeguard building, the new City Hall, the Welcome Center, and beach replenishment projects.

Many consider this the biggest innovation in Sea Isle’s history.

Desiderio extends gratitude throughout the community, including to neighbors near 45th Street who tolerated the noise of construction.

One could view the facility as a signature structure for Sea Isle, much like the Music Pier is for Ocean City.

It’s also been a hub for projections. During his successful campaign for City Council last year, Ian Ciseck envisioned the center as a drawing card. It could entice area basketball tournaments and create business on weekends, etc., he maintained.

Now, with the Community Center a reality, anything seems possible.

This facility also can be viewed as a victory for residents, who have a year-round gathering place to call their own.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to the building,” Desiderio says, “and I’m especially looking forward to all the opportunities for recreation and leisure that the facility will offer to our citizens going forward from now on.”

Here’s a further look at the building, provided by city officials:

The arts and crafts room.

The fitness classroom.

Community Center

4500 Central Ave.
609-263-0050
visitsicnj.com/community-center

Main Level

• Gymnasium (for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and other athletic activities).

• Community Meeting Room (with a stage, kitchen, and plenty of space for civic gatherings.

• Fitness Classroom (for yoga, Sit-Fit seniors and other classes led by skilled instructors).

• Arts and Crafts Room (with plenty of natural light and room for creativity).

• Quiet Room (for reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles and other activities that are best in a serene environment).

• Safety Office (a home base for our local police officers during large events).

• Atrium Lobby (a gathering space with plenty of comfortable seating).

• Outdoor Patio (accessible only from the lobby, with outdoor seating and plenty of morning sunshine).

• Recreation Office (located in the lobby, near the front doors).

Upper Level

• Elevated walking-running track (a great place to reach your “daily step goal” – no matter what the weather).

• Warm-up area (featuring a collection of stationary fitness machines and a collection of other exercise equipment).

• Golf simulator (play a virtual round of golf on a famous course or simply practice your swing).

• Multi-ball Room (where people of all ages can enjoy a variety of games – and sharpen hand-eye coordination).

• Board Room (for committee meetings, seminars, and other small gatherings).

• Green Room (where performers can prepare and relax prior to going on stage in the Community Meeting Room).

• Sea Isle City Board of Education Office.

Other Features

• ADA compliance, including exterior ramps for our friends on wheels, a push-button front door, wide corridors, large bathrooms for easier access, and a modern elevator.

• Electronic message boards in the lobby (with program schedules, event info and more).

• Lockers (located on the main level; supply your own lock; for day-use only – no overnight use).

• Under-building parking garage (access to the building’s elevator).

• Open-air parking lot (on the Central Avenue side of the building, adjacent to the Community Center’s main entrance).

• Bicycle racks (located near the building’s front doors).

Other Useful Information

The Community Center is the year-round home of Sea Isle City’s Recreation Office (609-263-0050).

It houses the Beach Wheelchair Program (in the Community Center’s garage, with a convenient pick-up and drop-off location on the 46th Street side of the building. Call ahead for reservations).

Parking is free in the Community Center’s garage and open-air parking lot. However, overnight parking is prohibited in both locations.

When the Community Center closes each night, the gates of the building’s garage will be secured and locked. There is no access to the garage after hours.

Membership

Membership is required for everyone who wants to enjoy “general use” of the Community Center (that includes access to open gym sessions; use of the walking/running track, the exercise equipment adjacent to the track, and the quiet room; and access to any free community activities, events, civic meetings, or advertised public meetings that take place in the building).

Membership is free to all Sea Isle City property owners (as well as those who call Sea Isle City their “year-round home”).

There is no fee for children under the age of 18.

Parental supervision is always required for children under age 18 unless a signed parental permission form has been submitted to the Recreation Office for children ages 13-17. (All children age 12 and under must have parent or guardian present at all times.)

There is a membership fee for those who do not own a property in Sea Isle City or live here year-round.

For safety purposes, everyone who uses the Community Center will be required to check in at the front desk each time they enter the building – and check out when leaving.

So here it is, a brand-new era in the middle of town. Employees who answer calls are excited. The city has a vibe. Sea Isle City has its own visual magnet.