Rosen Jewish Community Center continues addition

WEST ORANGE — The Rosen Jewish Community Center has broken ground on the second phase of an expansion project of more than 22,000 square feet as of a June 24 groundbreaking ceremony.

The idea behind this expansion, which leaders expect to be complete by spring, is to transform current programs and facilities to better serve the greater Orlando community.

 A 17,348-square-foot addition will be primarily composed of a new theater and auditorium space and an enhanced youth wing. The rest of the addition will consist of 4,769 square feet for the Rosen JCC’s Early Childhood Learning Center.

Plans for the auditorium include a kitchen for catering, an elevated stage for productions and events and a green room for performers. A pair of soundproof, private music rooms will be available outside the auditorium for lessons in acting and music.

Hillary Brook, who owns Theatre South Orlando, the in-house performing arts program at the Rosen JCC, said she was thrilled about the enhancement.

“This space gives us the ability to offer professional quality theater programs for youth and adults,” she said. “It’s a new venue for the Orlando community, and they can not only enjoy but participate in productions and events.”

For the youth wing addition, members of the Rosen JCC who use its fitness facilities will have a room dedicated to child care, which will be dubbed the Kid Zone. The youth wing also will gain two staff offices and three big classrooms for J University, its after-school program.

In the Early Childhood Learning Center after the project will be a space dedicated to administration, three new classrooms and a resource library and parenting center.

“We are thrilled to expand our vision of engaging more families in the community as we continue to provide both an excellent education and a place for people to meet and form lasting friendships,” said Brenda Sher, early childhood director of the Rosen JCC.

The original building’s remaining youth space will feature retrofitted enhancements for wellness and teen programs, and the present youth wing will undergo work to include physical therapy and massage studios and a private personal training zone.

Other areas of the Rosen JCC will include a studio just for spinning and a teen center with a wellness-oriented active gaming room.

Officials expect this project to be over in February 2016, around which time a tour of the new Rosen JCC will occur for all of the community to attend. The center will remain open throughout the expansion process with full activities and programming.

Hard hat tours and more information are available by contacting Bonnie Rayman, executive director, at [email protected], or by calling (407) 387-5330. Visitors of the center also are welcome at 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida, 32836.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].