The exterior of the newly renovated Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle. — Courtesy: Netta Architects
By Joshua Burd
Netta Architects has announced the completion of a $7 million renovation of an ice skating rink in Roselle, a project the firm designed on behalf of Union County.
In a news release, Netta Architects said the project called for an extensive modernization of the Warinanco Park Skating Rink off Route 27. The redesign doubled the overall space of the complex and transformed it into a year-round venue for skating and other activities.
During this time, the facility stayed closed for open public skating, but remained open for high school games and practices.
“Our goal is to provide modernized amenities for skaters while creating a venue that can remain in use year-round for a variety of purposes,” Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh said. “The Warinanco Park Skating Rink was considered a state-of-the-art facility when it opened in 1961, and we are looking forward to using the updated building, that will restore its prominence.”
The rink will become known as the Warinanco Sports Center going forward, the news release said. Once the ice is removed after the winter, field turf will be laid on the rink floor and batting cages will be added during the spring and summer months, along with an infield that will accommodate the baseball and softball leagues that use the park.
The upgrades, for which Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan served as the general contractor, came amid broader renovations at Warinanco Park. The space straddles Roselle and Elizabeth.
Other renovations at the park include the addition of a new athletic turf field and track area on the Roselle side and a new “sprayground” and playground sports area on the Elizabeth side.
“The challenging aspect of this project was to design a new ice rink clubhouse while integrating a year-round recreational use,” Netta Architects Project Manager Brian Hare said.
