EDISON - The Minnie B. Veal Community Center on Grove Avenue will expand to serve the township's growing population of senior residents, thanks to $1 million in federal funding.
Mayor Sam Joshi, joined by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., and other elected officials announced the funding Monday at the center.
Joshi announced earlier this year that the center would expand programs for senior residents. The township is looking to build a 40-foot by 40-foot addition to the side and back of the building to house those programs.
"This is on the outside, it's not going to impact what is currently there," he said, adding all youth and recreational programming will continue.
"We're not taking anything from the youth," Township Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros said at Monday's council meeting in response to a resident's concerns that the children would lose space at the center.
The township has a senior citizens center on Woodbridge Avenue in the southern end of the township. That center, built in the 1990s, struggles to serve Edison's growing senior population because of limited space and location. Many seniors in the northern part of the township have to drive more than eight miles through heavy traffic to reach the center.
"We have a vision of what we want to do. We wanted to expand senior services at Minnie B. Veal Community Center. We have a concept, but it's a concept that can change. We're going to look for community feedback," he said.
The township is looking to complete the concept design for the expanded Minnie Veal Center by the end of this year, go out for bid on the project next year and complete the project in 2026.
While the $1 million in federal funding is a start, the mayor anticipates more money will be needed.
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The $1 million was requested by Pallone in in the federal government's budget.
“The funding we’ve secured for the Minnie B. Veal Community Center will truly make a difference in the lives of Edison’s seniors,” Pallone said. “This expansion isn’t just about adding more space − it’s about creating a welcoming place where our seniors can feel supported and connected. With easier access to essential services, and the opportunity to learn new skills and form lasting friendships, we’re helping to build a community that values and uplifts its older residents.”
Among the popular senior citizens programs are Tai Chi, bingo, line dancing, chair yoga, Zumba, nutrition, technological learning experiences and karaoke. The expanded facility will create a central location where seniors can engage in wellness programs, social gatherings, educational programs and recreational activities.
“Our cherished senior population will benefit immensely from the addition of more space, services and engagement opportunities. With this funding, this central location can ensure the continued enrichment within our senior community,” the mayor said.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today .
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison gets $1 million to expand community center
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