Stage area with windows towards ocean/Photos by Jack Fichter

Left: Markley, Mahaney in front of wall of insulation.

Entrance/reception area.

One of two retail spaces.

From left: Markley, Mahaney.

In main hall looking toward stage area.

Stage area with temporary plastic covering where windows will be installed.

Looking into main hall from stage area.

View from rear of hall.

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CAPE MAY — There’s enough of the city’s new Convention Hall completed to allow those with a bit of imagination to see how the finished building will function.
The Herald took a hardhat tour Fri., Feb. 3 of Convention Hall with Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr, Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman and Construction Manager Steve Markley, of Hunter Roberts.

At first impression, keeping in mind the building is filled with workman, scissor lifts and stacks of insulating material, the ceilings look high, the vistas of the water and beach impressive and the stage area looks a bit small.
Window frames are arriving which will contain glass with a green tint that can withstand the impact of a flying two by four in a 70 mph wind, according to Markley. He said the building would be white with a green roof.

At the building’s entrance is a two-story high reception area, which connects to restrooms and a catering kitchen. A meeting room at the end of the corridor overlooks the beach and ocean from two angles and can seat up to 49 persons, said Wichterman.

The city’s demolished Solarium has been recreated in a way both indoors and on an outside deck. The reception area will be open to the public all year for those who would like to sit down and have a snack from a concession cart and gaze at ocean, said the mayor.

The building will house offices for the city’s tourism and recreation staff. Two retail stores abut the Promenade. One store is rented, one is available.

The building has a massive heating/air conditioning system, which follows LEED’s silver level specifications for energy conservation, which includes solar panels on the roof, according to Mahaney.
A deck will surround the entire building. It will extend 15 feet behind the building onto the beach. Mahaney said rocking chairs would be placed on the decks for the public.

Warm weather has aided work on the exterior finish of the building being ahead of schedule, said Markley.

Convention Hall was designed without a permanent stage, according to Mahaney. He said the city would be purchasing an adjustable, portable stage out of the “owner’s budget.”

“Having the temporary stage allow us to have a much more flexible and functional use of the entire building for more purposes,” said Mahaney.

He said the portable staging can be adjusted to various heights so all patrons have a good view of the show. The hall can be closed off with a divider to allow two events to take place simultaneously.
Markley said the hall would have 11 aluminum risers, similar to what is used in a gymnasium. It will store against the back wall. Some of the sections can be disengaged so 100-200 seats could be placed for a smaller event, said Mahaney.

The hall will provide a 100-amp “company switch” to allow musical acts to plug in the lighting and sound equipment they bring with them, said Markley. He said Convention Hall would have its own stage lighting as well.

“We should be able to accommodate virtually anybody who wants to come here and play or exhibit,” said Markley.

During the Herald’s tour, workmen were installing outlets in the floor for a railing to be used for roller-skating in the building.
Mahaney said the floor in the main hall would be constructed of hard bamboo, which will provide good sound transmission and be favorable for roller-skating.

Markley described the sound wall at the rear of the hall as three to four layers thick with six sheets of drywall.
The project is on time and within budget, said the mayor. He said 45 to 50 construction employees were working on the building. Mahaney said, “multiple trades were able to work simultaneously to speed the project along.”
Lower Cape May Regional High School’s Senior Prom will be held in Convention Hall, May 12, said Mahaney.