CAPE MAY, N.J.
Thanks to a relatively mild winter, crews working on the new Cape May Convention Center should have no trouble completing the $10.5 million, 20,000-foot structure in time for its May 26 grand opening.
Mayor Ed Mahaney said the great value of the convention center will be its ability to bring in conventions, trade shows, educational conferences and social events, and keep visitors coming almost year-round.
A concrete subfloor was laid last week. It will be overlaid with insulation and topped with a bamboo floor, which is green, renewable, and will make for great acoustics, said Mike Whipple, the city’s director of marketing and communications.
The performance area at the new hall is backed by a 42-foot by 18-foot glass window overlooking the ocean; the layered glass conforms to Miami-Dade code requirements and is strong enough to withstand hurricane-force winds. The glass is tinted to keep out excessive heat. The building also is equipped with solar panels for greater energy efficiency. There is no fixed stage; stages of varying sizes will be rented to make the center adaptable to many kinds of events. The audience area will include 700 seats, with 250 additional seats on telescopic risers, for good viewing.
Also, a 75-foot by 25-foot outdoor deck on the west side of the hall will be equipped with rocking chairs so people can relax and enjoy the ocean view. Two 1,000-square-foot retail spaces will be included in the front of the building.
