New floors planned for community center

The Recreation Department is seeking a $6,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to install hardwood flooring in the activity room of the Community Center.The Borough Council approved the application for the grant during its May 23 meeting.“In order to continue to offer more opportunities and classes for our residents, we would like to upgrade the [floor] surface to make it more user friendly and more comfortable and safe,” Janice Grasso, recreation director, said in an interview May 24.Since there is no recreation center in town, the Recreation Department has to use the facility, located at 72 Broad St., for several physical activities and exercise classes.

However, these activities are held in a room that has carpeting, which creates problems, she said.“It’s not conducive to dancing because there is too much friction,” Grasso said. “We are hoping to be lucky enough to be awarded the grant so we can remove the carpet and put down a wood floor surface.”The maximum amount of funding the borough could apply for was $10,000, she said, but there is a limited number of grants awarded, so the department decided to apply for less.“We are asking for $6,000 in the grant, and then in our capital budget for 2013, we will budget the other half of the project,” Grasso said.Knowing How To Effectively Clean Your Carpets And Floors.

In selecting what type of floor to use, the department had to consider the age of the community center and the type of surface that could be used.“The community center is over 100 years old, and old buildings are filled with surprises,” Grasso said. “We felt that this flooring would be durable enough. It would also be safer and easier to maintain.”In addition to the flooring, the borough is planning a $280,000 improvement project to install a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system in the building.