Work continues on the community center's exterior and interior in a final push to get the building completed.
Sea Isle City is in the final stages of construction on its $21 million community recreation center and expects to hold a grand opening in January or February.
“Construction is wrapping up on our new Community Center; however, there is still some work to complete before we can open the building to the public, which we hope will take place in late January or early February 2026,” the city said in a statement Wednesday giving an update on the project.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio had originally hoped to have the project completed by the fall of 2025, but the construction schedule slipped a bit when there were delays in the delivery of parts for the building’s elevator. Those parts have since been delivered.
“Over the next few weeks, along with completion of the elevator, the contractor will be working to complete the exterior site work and finish up interior work. We expect to announce a date for the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Community Center very soon, so stay turned,” Desiderio said in a statement.
Construction work on the project began with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 4, 2024. The building has been taking shape since then on the former site of the Sea Isle City Public School, which was demolished to make room for the community center on Central Avenue and Park Road, between 45th and 46th streets.
The two-story 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 gymnasium features an NBA-size basketball court, six basketball nets around the gym’s perimeter, bleachers, and a retractable curtain that can divide the gym floor into two separate spaces.
In addition to the basketball court, the gym floor is also striped for three pickleball courts and one volleyball court. Portable ping-pong tables will be available during scheduled ping-pong sessions in the gym.
The main community room will feature a stage for shows and other entertainment. (Courtesy of Sea Isle City)The main level also has a large “Community Meeting Room” with a stage and a modern kitchen; a “Fitness Classroom” where a variety of exercise classes will be led by certified instructors; and an “Arts & Crafts Room” that will be used for instructional classes and special activities.
There will also be a “Quiet Room” where people can read books, build jigsaw puzzles, utilize sensory items and relax in a calming atmosphere.
Another amenity will be a spacious atrium lobby with plenty of seating. There is also an outside patio on the main level, which is accessible only from the lobby.
The upper level features a “General Meeting Room” for civic meetings, seminars and other gatherings.
Workout buffs will have an elevated walking-running track and a selection of exercise equipment, including two stationary bicycles, two rowing machines, two elliptical machines, kettle bells and hand weights.
A golf simulator room, a “Multi Ball” game room and the Sea Isle City Board of Education Office will also be on the upper level.
Desiderio said the city’s Community Services staff has been working for months to plan for the programs and activities that will be held in the building.
An architectural rendering depicts the community center's glossy facade. (Courtesy of Ernest Bock & Sons Inc.)The building’s hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. It will be closed on some holidays, although the city has not yet announced on which holidays.
As part of its update on the project Wednesday, the city released a list of fees that will be charged for using some of the facilities, including the golf simulator, pickleball courts and some of the programs and activities.
General use of the community center will be free for Sea Isle property owners and full-time residents. It will also be free for all children up to the age of 17.
Fees will be required for non-property owners and non-year-round residents. They will be $5 per day, $40 per month and $120 per year per person.
The fees have been proposed in an ordinance that was introduced by City Council on Dec. 23. They will not become official unless they are adopted by Council during the ordinance’s public hearing and final vote scheduled for Jan. 27.
