Officials from the Union County Improvement Authority, Union County and Union College of Union County mark a major construction milestone at the topping off ceremony for the $35 million Physical Education Center expansion project on November 5, 2026, in Cranford.

Cranford, NJ – Officials from the Union County Improvement Authority (UCIA) and Union College of Union County (UCNJ) gathered on Thursday, November 5, to celebrate the topping off of the $35 million expansion of the college’s Physical Education Center (PECK) at its Cranford campus. The milestone marks the placement of the last structural beam on the building.

“Today we celebrate how far this project has come since we broke ground last fall,” said Bibi Taylor, Ed.D., Executive Director, UCIA. “Raising the final beam brings us one step closer to delivering a state-of-the-art athletic hub and student resource center that benefits UCNJ students and the broader Union County community.”

During the ceremony, officials from UCIA, Union County and UCNJ, along with student-athletes signed the final beam, marking a significant step toward completion of the project. The ceremony comes just over a year after officials broke ground in October 2025.

"This project is very close to my heart. I spent a couple of summers at Union College, earning credits that helped me graduate sooner and get a head start on my career,” said Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari. “Through our partnership with the Union County Improvement Authority, County Commissioners, and Union College, we are putting public dollars to work to reinvest in our communities and build facilities that make a real difference for residents. This state-of-the-art facility will provide new opportunities for student-athletes, support the college's academic programs, and serve the broader college community for years to come.”

The project is now 30% complete. M&M Construction Company, Inc., a Cranford-based contractor, is finishing steel erection and will next begin installing the building’s precast panels. The facility is expected to be completed in fall 2027.

The expansion will meet the standards of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), while creating opportunities to expand sports-related academic programs, including sports management, and strengthen community partnerships.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the hard work of our partners at Union College, Union County and M&M Construction,” said Christopher Kolibas, Chairman, UCIA. “The facility will give UCNJ room to grow its athletic programs and academic offerings, and it will become a valuable resource for Union County residents for years to come. We’re proud of the progress and look forward to seeing it completed next fall.”

The project will transform the 42,000-square-foot building into a modern athletic and academic facility. Planned features include an NJCAA-regulation basketball court, a new wrestling room, a weight training center, a modernized athletic training room, a multipurpose room, academic classrooms, improved spectator seating, and expanded athletic areas designed to meet current safety and competition standards.

UCNJ supports 14 NJCAA athletic teams, with at least five expected to host competitions in the renovated facility: men's and women’s volleyball, men's and women’s basketball, and men’s wrestling. The renovated facility will also give UCNJ the capacity to host major events on campus, including its spring and winter commencement ceremonies.