A premier venue | Collins Arena and Recreation Education Center at Brookdale Community College

Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, N.J., is underway on a 94,000-square-foot renovation and addition of the Collins Arena and Recreation Education Center. This project will create one of the region's premier sports and entertainment venues.

The project will bring the existing arena up to code and event standards. The main entry lobby will receive a new vestibule and entry area that will create a new entry facade to the arena, updating its exterior character to a more inviting and exciting entry sequence. Once inside the lobby, patrons will notice the existing offices and multi-use rooms have been replaced with new and expanded restrooms and concessions spaces.

The wood bleacher seating will be replaced with 1,410 retractable molded plastic bleachers with integrated circulation aisles, 430 premium fixed seats, 36 ADA seats and room for 140 folding padded seats surrounding the concourse for a total seating capacity of 2,015.

The plan is organized to provide access, restroom and concession services, and lobby and gathering spaces that enable the arena and event center to operate together or independently without negatively impacting the function of either.

Also included will be a new 7,600-square-foot fitness center. The projects will be completed in 2010 and will be LEED-certified. Clarke Caton Hintz (Trenton, N.J.) is architect for the project.