Recreation for all
Anyone familiar with the town of Secaucus understands how much we value our town’s recreation program. Just look at what we have to offer: dozens of parks, a tremendous Recreation Department, and various high quality facilities. Despite our outstanding service in this area, we want to continue to improve on putting our resources to work for the residents of this town. The Secaucus Recreation Center has already become the focus of these efforts.
“Untapped potential’ is the phrase that comes to mind when I think about this building. It is a 32,500 square foot elite facility that is full of recreational offerings, ranging from instructional classes to state-of-the-art equipment and machinery. There’s an Olympic-sized pool, a full-sized basketball court, an aerobics & weight gym, a three lane running track, and multipurpose studio.
I have begun working with the Town Council on ways to increase use of the facilities and all of the available programming. We envision the Recreation Center as a place that will someday become more central to the lives of our residents; a place where we can both socialize and improve our health at the same time. To encourage these developments, we have altered some rates and created some new policies and plans for the Rec. Center.
Effective immediately, Residents can purchase individual Rec. Center Membership ID Cards for just $25 for the entire year. Additional family members can purchase cards for only $5 apiece. With this card, residents can use the basketball court, pool, and track (when they are not otherwise occupied). Fitness area membership is $120 for the year, and class membership (unlimited classes) is only $150 per year. The pool and gym will also be available for residents to rent out for birthday parties and other events. We want to discourage residents from buying expensive memberships to other high-end fitness clubs, saving them valuable dollars. Joining our Recreation Center will help keep you close to home, as well as add to the already strong sense of community in our town.
More important than these low membership rates is the way we aim to put this facility to work for Secaucus. On Saturday nights the Center will be open, free of charge, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the young people of our Town in grades 7–12 to use the basketball court, pool, and track. On Sundays, these extended hours – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – will be offered to children in grades K-6. In addition, for resident seniors the facility provides free access to both water aerobics and regular aerobics classes every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. On top of these services, we will use the Rec. Center to help ease the significant space constraints at the High School by hosting gym classes every Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
We all recognize that it is essential for the center to generate more revenue. To raise funds in support of all these activities, we have already begun renting out ad space in the gymnasium, and we will soon be charging other towns and organizations for the use of our basketball, volleyball, and swimming facilities. One very important thing to remember is that the free and discounted services are invaluable to the town. These services will help create yet another great place to share and develop the community bond that exists in Secaucus; more safe and healthy recreational options for our teens, affordable programming for residents of all ages, and much needed assistance to our excellent school system.
We will continue to develop ways to encourage community activities and provide the highest quality services at the Secaucus Recreation Center. For example: We currently have preliminary plans in place to add a health bar and café. Whether it’s coming to watch basketball tournaments, taking a self-defense class, doing laps in the pool or having a birthday party, please take the opportunity to make the Secaucus Recreation Center a part of your daily life. Together, we can make this facility work for all residents of our town and turn this center into a real asset for Secaucus. Watch for new developments including new Pre-K, mom & tot, and ballroom dancing classes, as well as other special events.
For more detailed information on all that the Secaucus Recreation Center has to offer, call (201) 330-3299. If you happen to be on your way to Mill Creek Point to walk your dog or take in a ball game, or if you’ve just been inspired to make a special trip, please come pay us a visit at 1200 Koelle Blvd.