Will Hoboken Get A New Recreation Center? Councilman Pushes

Hoboken NJ

17 February, 2022

5:56 PM

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HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Councilman Ruben Ramos says he's tired of promises from political officials over the years to bring a recreation center and pool to Hoboken. So he's going to push a little harder. Ramos said that he will soon ask the city to put out a request for proposals to build a recreation center, probably on the site of the existing Multiservice Center on Grand Street. "I appeal to the [Ravi] Bhalla administration to re-engage the community and begin holding community meetings to gather feedback while we are in the RFP process," Ramos said Tuesday. "Let's finally make this vision a reality." Ramos, who represents the southwest corner of town, said, "The current state of the Multi Service Center no longer accommodates the needs of Hoboken's growing community. It is time to engage the public to create a state of the art center that will benefit all of Hoboken's citizens." The city is waiting for various other recreational facilities. The YMCA closed suddenly years ago, only to reopen without a public recreation aspect. The Hoboken Public Schools recently proposed a multifaceted plan with a pool, hockey rink, and other recreational facilities, but the referendum failed and the district will have to try again. Regardless, Ramos said that he's tired of empty promises. "I also implore Mayor Bhalla and his administration to include the Hoboken's Public Schools and the Hoboken Public Library in this process so we can maximize our potential to meet our community and academic needs," Ramos said. He said that in 2018, the city began a feasibility process for the Multi Service Center with a pool and ice rink, but never followed through. A city spokesperson did not respond, when asked if there would be comment. Meanwhile, the city is looking to hire a recreation director to revamp and add more recreation and summer programming. READ MORE: Hoboken To Revamp Recreation And Summer Programs The city has also announced recreation baseball and softball signups. Find out more here. Be the first to know what's happening around town. Input your zip code and email to get breaking news alerts in Hoboken or a daily 6 a.m. newsletter with local news. Sign up with your zip code here and you'll get an email asking for your preferences. Get a free 6 a.m. newsletter with news in Hoboken: https://patch.com/subscribe