The Union County Improvement Authority recently announced a multi-million-dollar renovation project for the UCNJ Union College of Union County Physical Education Center (PECK).
The $30 million construction project will transform the 42,000-square-foot building into a high-tech, state-of-the-art facility located at the UCNJ Cranford campus. The board of commissioners voted to award the construction contract to M&M Construction Co. of Cranford after submitting the lowest responsible bid.
“The reimagined PECK will transform the heart of campus athletics and community engagement at UCNJ,” said Bibi Taylor, director, UCIA. “The new PECK will serve as the athletic hub and student resource center for UCNJ, enhancing the college’s ability to address athletic and academic needs, as well as host events that strengthen connections with the community.”
The modernization of the current facility will be designed to support National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) athletic programs.
Key upgrades include expanding sports-related academic offerings from sports management to community program partnerships; improved seating and ample athletic space to ensure safety and compliance; and a new wrestling room, weight training center, NJCAA regulation basketball court, modernized physical training room, multi-purpose room, as well as academic classrooms.
“Our student athletes are an important part of the UCNJ community,” said Christopher Kolibas, chairperson, board of commissioners, UCIA. “Modernizing PECK will give our community a cutting-edge facility they can be proud of. We are excited to be a part of this next chapter for the UCNJ athletics program.”
The PECK will also serve as a venue for large-scale events that enhance the college’s relationship with the community. The renovated facility will allow UCNJ to host the college’s spring and winter commencement ceremonies at a significantly lower cost in the future. Currently, UCNJ hosts its spring commencement outdoors in its large parking lot and is subject to weather conditions. In the winter, it relies on expensive external venues.
M&M Construction Company, Inc., based in Cranford, New Jersey, was awarded the contract after submitting the lowest responsible bid.
