Hoboken, NJ – For years there has been talk by local elected officials, typically around elections, about bringing a recreation center to Hoboken.  But to date, no action has ever been taken to address this critical need for Hoboken residents.  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.  Councilman Ruben Ramos provides the following statement:

“We need to stop talking and start doing.  I look forward to a process that will include our seniors, families, students and everyone in between so we can design a recreation center that we can all be proud of.” said Ramos.  “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.”

In 2018, the city began a feasibility process for the Multi Service Center but never followed through.  At that time citizens spoke of a redesigned MSC housing a swimming pool, upgrading the outdoor rink to an ice rink, expanding space for senior activities and even the Hoboken Public School District mentioned the potential of having additional classroom space.  These, and other great ideas, will be discovered in an inclusive and transparent process with all stakeholders engaged and will yield a recreation center that will be used by all.

Council Ramos further states “I would like to begin as soon as possible and will sponsor a resolution for an RFP for professional planning services to begin the process of designing a new recreation center on the site of the MSC.  And I appeal to the Bhalla administration to re-engage the community and begin holding community meetings to gather feedback while we are in the RFP process.  Let’s finally make this vision a reality.”