Middlesex County leaders, state and federal officials, and community partners came together earlier this week to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Multipurpose Community Venue and Student Center on Middlesex College campus.
This is another major milestone in the development of the County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan, first announced in November 2022.
The construction contract has been awarded to Terminal Construction Corporation, the lowest responsible bidder, with a project cost of $125,916,999. Construction will begin immediately and is anticipated to take approximately 22 months to complete. This initiative will be 100% union-built, funded by state, federal, and County dollars. The County’s strong fiscal health, with its AAA bond rating for over 23 consecutive years, makes this capital investment possible without incurring additional debt.
Sharing the significance of this milestone, speakers included Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios, Governor Phil Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, Middlesex College President Mark McCormick, Rutgers Deputy Athletic Director of Facilities, Capital Projects, and Internal Operations Matthew Colagiovanni, and head baseball coach Steve Owens.
“The Multipurpose Community Venue and Student Center will be a vibrant hub for learning, recreation, entertainment, and community events,” Murphy said. “This project will fuel economic growth and open new opportunities for students and local residents.”
“Middlesex College is proud to be an integral part of the Middlesex County community and is grateful for the support of the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners that enables us to live up to and lean into our college mission. The entire Middlesex College community – employees, students, alumni, and Trustees – are excited that the CIO Plan has reached this milestone,” Middlesex College President Mark McCormick said. “These amazing additions to our campus will provide new and enhanced opportunities for our students to learn, study together, and engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities including athletics and student clubs.”
Key features of the multipurpose community venue and student center include:
Multipurpose Community Venue: A 3,500-seat, state-of-the-art facility designed for concerts, cultural events, and sports such as baseball, soccer, and lacrosse. The venue will meet Big Ten, NCAA, Minor League Baseball, and FIFA standards, ensuring top-tier accommodations for both athletes and spectators. Premium features include eight private boxes, food and beverage accommodations, and spaces for gatherings and special events.
Student Center: This 35,000-square-foot hub will redefine student life at Middlesex College. Designed as a centerpiece of student culture, the facility will include game rooms, meeting and study spaces, and a fully operational restaurant. Middlesex College’s Culinary Arts Department will utilize the restaurant space to provide students with hands-on, real-world culinary experiences, enhancing enrollment and career readiness.
