Ewing Township, state and Mercer County Ewing Township officials joined with members of the community on March 5 to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Ewing Senior and Community Center.
The event marks a significant step in the community’s efforts to rebuild after a fire destroyed a major section of the center in September 2022. The new facility, located at 999 Lower Ferry Road, will be a hub for residents of all ages, offering modern amenities and state-of-the-art features.
“This is more than just a groundbreaking—it’s a promise fulfilled,” said Mayor Bert Steinmann during the ceremony. “When fire devastated the original center, we vowed to rebuild bigger and better, and today, we take a major step toward delivering on that commitment.”
He added: “This new center will be a place where our seniors, youth, and community groups can gather, connect, and thrive.”
The full text of Stenmann’s remarks can be read here.
The 70,000-square-foot facility will include a black box theater, creative arts spaces, a café, a banquet hall, an extra-large gym, an indoor track, and modern meeting areas.
Financial support from state and federal partners, including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (a Ewing Township resident) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, helped secure more $8.5 million in funding. The funding ensures the project can proceed without increasing the township’s debt.
The ceremony featured remarks from local, county, and state officials, including state Senator Shirley K. Turner, Council President Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Mercer County Commissioner Chair Kristin McLaughlin, and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo.
Architect Vincent Myers of DIGroup, the firm overseeing the project, was also present. Myers is a Ewing resident). The Ewing High School Jazz Band provided musical performances, and representatives from Arc Mercer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A $34 million contract for the project was awarded to Benjamin R. Harvey Co., with DIGroup Architecture serving as the architect and Remington & Vernick Engineers as the owner’s representative.
The construction will be completed under a Project Labor Agreement, ensuring fair wages and high-quality craftsmanship from local building trades.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew a large crowd, including members of the Ewing Township Council, local nonprofit agencies, civic groups, and the Mercer-Burlington Building Trades.
Representatives from Congresswoman Watson Coleman’s office, The College of New Jersey President Dr. Michael Bernstein, and Ewing Schools Superintendent Dr. David Gentile were also in attendance.
Ewing Business Administrator Aaron T. Watson served as emcee for the event.
The new center is expected to become a key space for community engagement, providing residents with opportunities for social, recreational, and cultural activities.
For more information on the Ewing Senior and Community Center project, go to ewingnj.org/escc-construction.
