At a ceremony June 1, New Jersey Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (pictured above) announced that Hopewell Township will receive a $2 million grant from the State of New Jersey to be used towards the construction of the Hopewell Valley Senior and Community Center. Verrelli represents the 15th Legislative District (LD-15), which includes the Hopewell Valley.
The announcement took place at the future site of the Senior and Community Center on Washington Crossing- Pennington Road in Pennington and was attended by LD-15 representatives Senator Shirley Turner, and Assembly Members Verrelli and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. Also attending were Ryan Kennedy, Hopewell Valley YMCA Board President, Hopewell Township Mayor Michael Ruger, Deputy Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning, and Township Committee members Kevin Kuchinski and David Chait.
“The Hopewell Valley Senior and Community Center will have a significant positive impact on the residents of Hopewell and Pennington. Community and senior centers help to facilitate strong, inclusive communities along with healthy living by offering art classes, social events, and opportunities for exercise,” said Verrelli. “This facility will serve as a multi-use hub, providing a wide variety of programs and recreational activities for our community members.”
“It’s great to see funding allocated to such a worthy cause. Investing in the Hopewell Valley Senior and Community Center will ensure our community members of all ages have a space to come together and enjoy services offered by the Township,” said Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. “I look forward to seeing this facility bring our community together while supporting critical county meal programs and recreational classes that truly make a difference for our residents.”
“Community centers play a critical role in connecting our neighbors to vital programs and services and providing a social setting that keeps our residents of all ages active, alert, and thriving,” said Senator Shirley Turner. “Since loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection are now considered a public health threat, it is more important than ever that we support opportunities to bring our communities together. The creation of a multi-use hub that will be shared by three municipalities will be a source of pride for Hopewell Valley and will help to improve the health and quality of life of our residents.”
“I am pleased to accept this on behalf of the residents of the Township,” said Hopewell Township Mayor Michael Ruger. “This generous grant will allow us to move forward on construction of the new Senior and Community Center.”
Hopewell Township Committee Member Kevin Kuchinski, who has worked on plans for the new facility for years, said: “This new Center has been a long time coming. I look forward to a new space that brings our seniors and our community together.”
“We are working towards the next steps in making the new center a reality,” said Randi Malkiewicz, Hopewell Valley Senior Services Coordinator. “Thank you to the state for acknowledging the need for this building and helping us in the process. Our Hopewell Valley seniors are very excited to have a new center to enjoy with their friends.”
Groundbreaking is anticipated in the coming year.
