I recently received a call from Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli. It’s always great to speak with Assemblyman Verrelli, who is a fellow Hopewell Township resident. This call, though, was particularly special.
Assemblyman Verrelli told me that Hopewell Township will receive a $2 million grant for the construction of a new Senior and Community Center. That is great news for all of us in the township.
The township has received state grants in the past. In 2021, the township received $500,000 for construction of a bandshell in Woolsey Park.
And in 2022, $600,000 was awarded to upgrade the Township’s 911 system. This year’s grant is the largest I can recall the township ever receiving for a single project.
On June 1, I was honored to attend a ceremony formally announcing the grant. Sen. Shirley Turner and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson joined Assemblyman Verrelli as well as Hopewell Township Deputy Mayor Courtney-Peters Manning and committee members Kevin Kuchinski and David Chait at the future site of the Senior and Community Center.
Senator Shirley Turner noted: “Community centers play a critical role in connecting our neighbors to vital programs and services and providing a social setting that keeps our residents of all ages active, alert and thriving.”
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson said: “Investing in the Hopewell Valley Senior and Community Center will ensure our community members of all ages have a space to come together and enjoy services offered by the township.”
And Assemblyman Verrelli said: “Community and senior centers help to facilitate strong, inclusive communities along with healthy living by offering art classes, social events and opportunities for exercise.”
Currently, Hopewell Township’s senior services coordinator, Randi Malkiewicz, ensures there is space for senior events by using not only the current Senior Center, but also in locations such as the township building and local churches.
With the construction of the new Senior and Community Center, all services can be housed under one roof.
Seniors will have a modern, dedicated space for the Mercer County lunch program so seniors can eat and connect with friends and neighbors. There will be room for exercise classes as well as lectures and educational classes.
While we envision a center with dedicated parking and a separate entrance for seniors, the building will serve all residents of the community. Working with the Hopewell Valley YMCA, the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, and Pennington and Hopewell Boroughs, we are looking to build a competitive lap pool so our local swimming athletes can practice and compete at home.
A warm-water pool will be available for aquatherapy and exercise classes. A health club and indoor gymnasium will welcome Hopewell Valley residents.
A teaching kitchen, sharing facilities with the senior lunch program kitchen, will provide nutrition and cooking classes. And multipurpose rooms will be available for community events.
The Senior and Community Center will be located off Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, and will be accessible from Reed Road. Groundbreaking is anticipated in the coming year.
Michael Ruger is the mayor of Hopewell Township, which has provided this content.
Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli addresses a crowd gathered at the future site of the Hopewell Senior and Community Center, June 1, 2023.,
