The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County has won approval for a multipurpose gymnasium to be constructed on its northern campus in Palm Beach Gardens.
On Sept. 24, the Palm Beach Gardens City Council gave unanimous support for The Exter Center, a 23,500-square foot facility that will host school-related activities for the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory School as well as community events.
Named in honor of Diane and Neil Exter, longtime Palm Beach Gardens residents, the center will be built on the Jewish Federation's 15-acre campus, off Hood Road near Interstate 95. The campus is home to Meyer Prep and the Mandel Jewish Community Center. Federation officials said those two venues now share a gym and need additional space.
“The Exter Center
represents an extraordinary investment in a vibrant Jewish future for the Palm Beaches and into Martin County,” Michael Hoffman, the president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, said in a prepared statement.
“We are creating a new, welcoming destination where people of all ages can gather, connect and feel proudly Jewish. We are grateful to the Palm Beach Gardens City Council for approving The Exter Center. This decision underscores the project’s value to the entire community.”
Meyer Prep will use the Exter Center for intramural sports. The Mandel JCC will use it for a summer camp, and the Jewish Federation will host lectures and theater performances there. Synagogues could also use the space for events.
Palm Beach County has about 350,000 people living a Jewish home, making it one of the largest Jewish communities in the nation. The Exter Center is expected to cost about $27.5 million, and $22 million already has been committed toward the project, with fundraising continuing and additional naming opportunities available.
During the Sept. 24 council meeting, residents from the nearby Alton community voiced support for The Exter Center, but expressed concern about the amount of traffic it could generate.
Of particular concern was Beckman Terrace, a city-owned street that traverses the residential neighborhood and is frequently used by visitors to Meyer Prep and the Mandel JCC.
Brian Seymour, chair of the federation's board of directors, told council members that federation officials will meet with residents to address their concerns.
Julius Whigham II covers northern Palm Beach County and public safety for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Gardens approves Exter Center at Mandel JCC | Exclusive
