BRICK, N.J. — Construction of the long-anticipated SportsDome is underway in Brick Township, following a ceremonial groundbreaking last week at the site of the former Foodtown property. Mayor Lisa Crate, along with Councilwomen Heather deJong and Melissa Travers, participated in the event marking the official start of the project.
Privately funded and constructed, the SportsDome is designed to offer a range of recreational amenities for residents of all ages. The facility is being built on a section of land that was originally acquired by the township more than 22 years ago to prevent the development of a large home improvement store.
“This long-awaited project is finally moving forward,” Mayor Crate said during the ceremony. The township’s decision to purchase the property decades ago led to a prolonged series of redevelopment plans and negotiations.
An earlier administration entered into a redevelopment agreement that proposed a combination of retail and residential units. However, that plan was ultimately revised by the current administration and Township Council, who opposed the inclusion of housing on the site.
Instead, a new agreement was reached that returned the property to the tax rolls while dividing the parcel into two sections—one for retail development and the other for the construction of the SportsDome.
Mayor Crate emphasized that no residential component will be included in the final development, a departure from earlier proposals. The plan was reshaped to prioritize commercial and recreational uses, aligning with the township’s long-term vision for the site.
The site, located off Route 70, had remained undeveloped for years following the closure of the Foodtown supermarket. Its redevelopment had been the subject of public debate and shifting plans over multiple township administrations.
The SportsDome is expected to host a variety of indoor sports and recreational activities once complete, though a specific opening date has not yet been announced.
The Township Council noted that the SportsDome and adjacent retail development will generate local tax revenue, in contrast to residential housing that could have added pressure to local schools and services.
Construction will continue throughout the coming months as crews work to complete the facility, which township officials say represents a long-term investment in the community’s recreational infrastructure.
