A rendering of the updated appearance of the sports complex proposed for the former Foodtown parcel, Brick, N.J., Aug. 2023. (Credit: Planning Document)
Construction on what was once known as the “sports dome” at the former Foodtown site on Route 70 is cleared to begin a year after planning approval, Brick officials confirmed.
For the last year, there had been no construction at the site following a decision made by the planning board to allow the developer to eliminate the “dome” portion of what was then to be called the “Brick Superdome” indoor sports complex. At the meeting, which occurred in August 2023, the board agreed to a request from the developer, Peter Tasca, for the removal of the dome, or “bubble” portion of the project the meet fire code compliance, officials said.
After the approval last summer, the construction plan met code compliance regulations in Feb. 2024. A number of permits remained outstanding, however, thanks to the size and scope of the project as well as its location off a state highway.
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The future site of a proposed sports dome in Brick Township, April 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)
The future site of a proposed sports dome in Brick Township, April 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)
“The group that is working on what … is now known as the sports complex, did come in for final approval,” said Mayor Lisa Crate. “They have the go-ahead to get started.”
Township Administrator Joanne Bergin said the engineer and planner for the project indicated work would begin in the near future.
“I understand from project engineer Jeff Carr that the Superdome project will break ground in the very near future,” she said.
At last year’s hearing, the board voted unanimously, 7-0, to approve an amended site plan to convert the multiple-building project into a single-building project with the same overall footprint while removing a “domed” portion in favor of a traditional, fixed building.
Basketball courts and a daycare center will be located on the eastern side of the building and will be combined with the main sports center and offices. The large, single building complex will be situated where the dome had been proposed – in the rear of the former supermarket site with cross-access to the new Aldi supermarket in the front – which will eventually be joined by at least one restaurant. The complex will house basketball courts, a soccer pitch and a number of other sports and fitness features and amenities, plus an outdoor volleyball court.
The removal of the dome, or “bubble” portion of the project had to do with fire code compliance, officials said. Most “bubbles,” like those in the long-standing Bennett Bubble in Toms River and other privately-owned sports facilities across the state, exist on their own. The Brick Superdome bubble, however, was tacitly connected to traditionally-constructed buildings, which caused complications.
“In other places, a bubble standing alone acts as its own fire suppression system since the bubble falls, the oxygen is pushed out, and that extinguishes the fire,” said Township Planner Tara Paxton. “With this project, since there are buildings located so closely nearby, that could not work. You would have to put sprinklers in the bubble, which you just can’t do.”
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