Ridge High Weight Room to be Expanded to 'Wellness Center'

Ridge High School's "weight room" is planned for a substantial upgrade by next year — thanks to a major contribution offered by the Ridge Sports Foundation, Bernards Township Board of Education member William Koch said.

Once the job is complete, the current weight room will be expanded into an adjoining small room, with equipment to be added, he said following Monday night's school board meeting. 

The space will be enlarged from about 1,700 to 3,300 square feet, Koch said. Along with the existing weights, used by athletes such as the football team, exercise equipment will be added so the center will appeal to a broader range of students, he said.

The total renovation, with new equipment, is expected to cost about $250,000, Koch said.

Koch said that the Ridge Sports Foundation, a non-profit corporation based in Basking Ridge, has promised to donate up to half, or $125,000 towards the project. The school district would pay for the remainder, he said.

Roderic McLaughlin, the school district's business administrator, said the money for the project will be taken from reserve funds and placed in next year's budget without further impact to local taxes.

Work on the new center is expected to be performed this summer, Koch said. The new center should be open by the next school year, he said.

Koch, who is retiring from the board after serving 11 years, said he is pleased and proud that the project is coming to fruition.