A massive ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, for the grand opening of North Bergen’s new Downtown Recreation Center and Library.

 

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Hugo Cabrera and Library Executive Director Sai Rao were joined by Mayor Nicholas Sacco to cut the ribbon on the new facility. The celebration, which featured tours of the new location, a harpist performance, various food options, music, carnival games, bouncy houses, and much more, drew hundreds of local residents.

 

The new $19.5 million, cutting-edge facility consists of multiple floors including a full library space with study rooms and the most advanced technology, a basketball court with six hoops indoors, a running track, an outdoor workout area, a rooftop practice field made of turf, and more. It was financed by the township using a combination of local ordinance bonds and Green Acres funds, as well as federal, state, and county awards.

 

Among the many dignitaries attending the grand opening were Commissioners Frank Gargiulo, Julio Marenco, and Allen Pascual; Hudson County Commission Chairman Anthony Vainieri; Assemblypersons Angelica Jimenez and Pedro Mejia; Township Administrator Janet Castro; Sheriff Frank Schillari; NJ State Librarian Jennifer Nelson; and many others.

 

The new library will provide books and other resources in addition to extra room for community activities and programs like citizenship training and other beneficial initiatives. Registration is taking place now for fall programs beginning Nov. 14, including crafternoon, art, and storytime for kids, and ESL, Zumba, and chakra & meditation for adults.