Eatontown, New Jersey Development News

Eaton Town Proposes Renting Church Space for New Recreation Center

The council discussed a proposal to rent approximately 14,000 square feet of the Korean Methodist Church building at 76 Wycloth Road to serve as a new recreation center. This space would accommodate various recreational functions for the borough, including fitness classes, indoor sports, arts and crafts, and a potential teen center. The proposed lease would be for 10 years with two five-year options to renew, and crucially, would include a right of first refusal to purchase the property in the future. The church would retain the other half of the building for its worship services. The plan aims to centralize recreation operations, address the limitations of the current dated community center, and provide much-needed indoor space for community programs. The proposal also includes potentially utilizing the nursery and adjacent room at 68 Broad Street to consolidate preschool operations, subject to state approval, which could then allow 68 Broad Street to be rented for office use, generating revenue. The estimated rental cost is not publicly disclosed but is acknowledged as significant, with funding potentially coming from Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) funds. Next steps include legal review of the lease, potential introduction of an ordinance in August, and approval from the CBA committee for fund allocation. The church has been a long-standing institution in the community and wishes to remain in the borough.