$1.8M New Recreation Center Proposed In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Township Committee is looking to create a new $1.8 million recreation center at Mike Merdinger Memorial Park.

The former police building at the property, located off East Mountain Road, would be completely renovated inside and out to create the township's first recreation center.

In addition to the renovation of the current building, the township would also construct a 20 by 30 feet open-air pavilion, install sidewalks, create restrooms, and pave the current stone parking lot to make it ADA-compliant.

The property consists of 74 acres of land with roughly more than 2.25 miles of hiking trails. The building and parking lot itself takes up roughly 1 acre of the total lot.

The site would increase by 1,800 square feet and would not have any significant impact to stormwater runoff or traffic, township officials said at the Feb. 28 Committee meeting.

The total cost of the project is $1,866,166.69. The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to apply for a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection grant that would cover 50 percent of the project or $933,083.36.

The township would be responsible to cover the remaining 50 percent. In 2022, the township was was previously awarded $250,000 from Somerset County to build the community pavilion at the Mike Merdinger Memorial Trail. Read More: $250K Awarded To Build Community Pavilion In Hillsborough

The township has also submitted a 2023 capital ordinance for $165,000 in preparation for the parking lot and sidewalks to make it ADA-compliant.

The remaining $518,000 will be provided by the township's American Rescue money, which will have no impact on the overall municipal budget, according to township officials.

A decision on the state grant is expected by July 1. The township would then create bid specs, go out to bid, and then award a contract. The soonest construction is expected to begin would be in late September or early October.

"This is something we've looked at. The building is old and we are always looking at ways to refurbish this and make this a destination park that it has the potential to be," said Mayor Shawn Lipani.

Committeeman Doug Tomson also was in favor of the project.

"Based on the presentation this is a no-brainer," said Tomson.

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