Construction will begin immediately and is anticipated to take approximately 22 months.
Patch Staff
|Updated Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 10:32 am ET
EDISON, NJ – Leaders from the state and Middlesex County, as well as federal officials, and community partners, gathered on Tuesday, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Multipurpose Community Venue and Student Center on Edison’s Middlesex College campus.
This marks another major milestone in the development of the County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan, first announced in November 2022.
Scheduled to open in 2026, the college campus will become a major destination for education, recreation, arts, entertainment, and community events while fueling economic growth and creating new opportunities for residents and businesses.
The construction contract has been awarded to Terminal Construction Corporation, the lowest bidder, with a project cost of $125,916,999.
Construction will begin immediately and is anticipated to take approximately 22 months to complete. This initiative will be 100 percent union-built, funded by state, federal, and County dollars.
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“The Multipurpose Community Venue and Student Center will be a vibrant hub for learning, recreation, entertainment, and community events,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “This project will fuel economic growth and open new opportunities for students and local residents.”
Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios noted that the groundbreaking marks a historic moment for the County. "In just three short years since this project was first announced, we have made tremendous progress—a testament to the invaluable support of our state and federal partners,” Rios said.
“Through strong partnerships and fiscal responsibility, we are building a brighter future for our County, ensuring Middlesex County remains the best place to live, work, and play for generations to come.”
The Multipurpose Community Venue will serve as the future home of Rutgers baseball, beginning with the 2026 season. This partnership between Middlesex County and Rutgers Athletics will not only provide a state-of-the-art home field for the Scarlet Knights but also foster new academic pathways for Middlesex College students. As the largest feeder school to Rutgers University, Middlesex College established a dual admissions agreement with Rutgers in 2024, granting students enhanced access to Rutgers’ programs, mentorship opportunities, and shared educational initiatives. Additionally, the County issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in September 2024, attracting more sports industry attention to this multifaceted venue and potentially new tenants.
Rutgers Athletics will be continuing its partnership with Middlesex County and the project represents a significant investment in the success of its baseball program, Rutgers Interim Athletic Director Ryan Pisarri said.
“Middlesex County has been an incredible partner in this process and has gone above and beyond to make this venue state-of-art for our players and staff,” Pisarri said. “We look forward to the 2026 season and the many possibilities this venue will bring for Rutgers and Middlesex County.”
Here are some key features of the multipurpose community venue and student center:
For more information on the CIO Strategic Investment plan, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/cioplan.
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