Wildwood Celebrates Byrne Center Opening

WILDWOOD — Hundreds of city residents and from the surrounding region joined Oct. 26, to celebrate the grand opening of the Byrne Community Center.
The state-of-the-art facility is Wildwood’s first new community center in 45 years and has been highly anticipated since the outdated facility on Rio Grande Avenue closed several years ago.
The center includes an 8,000-square-foot gymnasium, dance studio, computer lab, conference room and offices, exercise room and professional kitchen for a total of 13,000 square feet of space, according to a release.
The facility is self-contained with its own power generation in event of emergency, and has been designated as a Red Cross Evacuation Center and a secondary evacuation site for Wildwood High School.
The entire First District legislative delegation, led by Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st) attended.
Other dignitaries included James and Shirley Byrne and Byrne family members, whose name adorns the building.
The Byrne Fund For Wildwood, Inc. donated $1 million toward the center’s cost. The fund was set up by Jack Byrne as a way to give some of the proceeds from the family business, J. Byrne Insurance Agency, back to the community, the release stated.
The Wildwood Recreation Commission, which oversees the center’s operation, hosted the event along with the City of Wildwood.
Commissioner Bill Davenport and representatives from SOSH Architects, building designer, engineering firm Remington Vernick & Walberg and Little Builders, general contractor, participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the center.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., whose oversight includes the Recreation Department, presided.
“The Byrne Community Center is such a great building with so many opportunities for so many people,” said Troiano. “We plan to have a wide range of programs and activities to appeal to every age group. The center is designed to serve the entire community.”
The community center has launched a new Web site: www.byrnecommunitycenter.com, which includes information about the center and contact information for staff and recreation commission members.
Center hours of operation, programs, events and future commission meeting agendas will be added to the site in the future.
Call 609-522-5387 for information.