Old Firehouse to Become Manalapan Community Center

The concept of the Manalapan Township Community Center is nearly twelve years in the making and the dream just may become a reality by the end of 2012.

The Manalapan Community Center Committee is run by Arlene White, one of the few volunteers who has been a part of the project since its conception. White, a Manalapan resident for almost 30 years, attended a Township Committee meeting about twelve years ago where residents interested in a Manalapan Township Community Center were asked to attend - and from one meeting White became in charge of the whole project.

It took White about two years to get the group of volunteers known as the Manalapan Community Center Committee officially recognized as a charitable organization, but once that occurred volunteer membership climbed.

The committee spent the first three to five years fundraising, raising approximately $100,000. Despite publicizing the need for volunteers and donations, White said that the committee was unable to get any large investors in the project.

Initially, the township had provided White with a piece of property within the which contained a large white building. Eventually, however, the building was knocked down and the township reclaimed the property. 

Back to the drawing board, White soon realized that the committee would never raise enough money through fundraising to construct a new building for the community center.

“I had some architects do some plans for me, and to make everything up to code and a size that would be realistic - they were giving me million dollar prices,” White said.

When the Manalapan firehouse on Rt. 33 became vacant three years ago, Township Administrator Tara Lovrich and Michelle Roth, a Committeewoman at the time, brought the building to White’s attention. The township offered White the building for the community center and she jumped at it.  Logistics took about a year, so renovation on the building began about one year ago.

With some more volunteers and with the money the committee had previously fundraised, the empty firehouse is now being upgraded and transformed into the Manalapan Community Center. In fact, at the last Township Committee meeting of 2011 a resolution was passed which officially recognized the building as the Manalapan Township Community Center.

As a non-profit organization the committee receives items at a reduced cost or does not have to pay taxes on them, some items are being donated, and all of the work is being done by unpaid volunteers. Licensed electricians, plumbers, and contractors are helping to upgrade the building whenever they can and White, her husband, and son also lend a hand almost every weekend.

If a major issue arises during renovation and the $100,000 is unable to cover the cost of improving the building, the township told White they would provide the committee with some money to complete the project. Additionally, the new Community Center is owned by the Township so the Township will be responsible for maintaining the facility and will use it whenever they need a large space.

“The Community Center itself will be for everyone in the community, including the administration and the police department,” White said.

Currently, the police have a gym housed in the back of the empty firehouse building. The gym will be moved to the front of the building which will give the police officers more space to work out, and subsequently create a larger space in the back of the building.

Once the Community Center is up and running, White said the Manalapan Community Center Committee will not dissolve. The committee will still be run by volunteers who will schedule events at the center as often as possible.

“The hope is that we will have a volunteer base for chaperoning because we want it to always be a safe environment for any teen event or kid event that we have,” White said.

Any and all community members will be able to use the space, however the Township will be in charge of dates and access to the building.

White is still in need of some volunteers, especially licensed plumbers and electricians  to help with the renovation. Any other construction workers, concrete workers, and people familiar with home construction are also desired, but anyone who is willing and able is welcome to help, White said. If you are interested in volunteering your time please e-mail Arlene White at   leeni629@optonline.net or call her at 732-687-9214.