Paint finally dries on twp. arts center
Middletown unveils first new indoor rec facility since 1981
BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Once a privately owned warehouse, the Middletown Arts Center will now be used to host art exhibits, live performances and other cultural events.

The new Middletown Arts Center, was unveiled recently. The 23,000-square-foot building is the township's first new indoor recreational facility in over 25 years. The township broke ground on the facility in 2002 with the project being completed in two phases. First came various site improvements, including a 9,000-square-foot addition to the 14,000-square-foot warehouse, a new roof, and the exterior facade. The second part was the completion of the buidling's interior.

The surrounding property includes a pond and wooded area that is home to the township's World Trade Center Memorial Gardens, dedicated to the 37 residents lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

"This building has far exceeded all of our expectations and this is only the beginning," Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger said. "Programs are still being developed and the center will be booking performances and exhibits as time goes on, so there's definitely the potential for revenue to be generated."

While many township officials, past and present, had a hand in trying to get the arts center off the ground, perhaps none put in as much effort as former Committeewoman and current County Surrogate Rosemarie Peters. She noted in the beginning that things were tough, due to the structure being very antiquated (it used to be a moving and storage warehouse owned by the late Ed Banfield many decades ago) and thus had to be greatly refurbished.

"That, along with public bidding laws, and then we had to find somebody else to finish the work, things didn't get off on the right foot," Peters said. "It was frustrating for a while to get everything going, but now that it has happened it feels great. People who may have doubted the project in the beginning were members from our political opposition. They would always question the usefulness of the building.

"But then there were those who said they couldn't wait to see the finished product and that's what kept us going, knowing there were people who wanted to see this project through to the end."

The arts center also includes a large space suitable for performances, exhibits and other events, a gallery, classrooms and an art studio. A large patio outside will allow for outdoor activities to take place.

"People are definitely excited about the arts center and they'll soon realize that it was all worth the wait," Committeewoman Pamela Brightbill said. "When people will see it, they will be amazed."

Committeeman Tom Hall said that more indoor recreational space was much needed in town.

"This facility will definitely be utilized. My only regret is that we don't have sponsorship right now for the facility, but we are working on that at this time," Hall said.

Peters added that the center can become a kind of meeting spot in town.

"It'll be a hub for the community as time goes on," Peters said. "This was like any other process. It took a lot of perseverance and patience and collaboration. But in the end it was all worth it."

For more information, contact the arts center at (732) 706-4000.